As the NFL's salary cap increases, veteran players are becoming expensive to lock up or sign in free agency. This makes finding contributors in the draft and undrafted free-agent market extra important.
While it is always preferable to be good than to be merely young or old, we have once again ranked all 32 teams by talent under the age of 25. Last year's U25 rankings had the Cowboys at No. 1 and the Seahawks at 32. Sure, Dallas' talent did not translate to wins after its 35-year-old quarterback was injured, but that is why we wanted to create a ranking that balanced opportunity with performance and potential.
To see our exact methodology, check out the bottom of the article.
Here are our rankings for this season. All ages are as of Sept. 8, 2016. Read through the full file 1-32, or jump to your favorite team using the quick links below.
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAC | KC | LA | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | OAK | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2015 ranking: 9
Jacksonville's offense made fantasy owners happy last year, but what really drove us to rank this team No. 1 were the additions on defense. How often do you add arguably the best defender in the draft two years in a row, as well as another top-five talent? This is so much about potential with a serious risk of injury, but getting defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Myles Jack on the field together should make Jacksonville worth watching again. Aaron Colvin is also a solid cornerback who was rarely tested last year despite playing over 1,000 snaps.
Then you go back to that offense, starting with the line. It should be noted that Luke Joeckel has not lived up to his draft status yet, and probably will never, but right guard A.J. Cann had a solid season, ranking eighth in snaps per blown block.
Then there are the skill players. Despite the 35 touchdown passes, Blake Bortles was hardly efficient, ranking 25th in DVOA. He makes a lot of mistakes, and he smashed an NFL record with 13 of those touchdown passes coming in the second half of losses when trailing by multiple scores -- serious garbage-time-hero stuff. But the positive plays still make you believe in Bortles long-term potential as long as he (and the rest of the team) keeps improving.
Wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns were excellent last year in helping Bortles look good. They can make tough catches and make defenders miss after the catch. If Marqise Lee or Rashad Greene have anything else to add, then that's just more firepower for this offense. T.J. Yeldon did not find the end zone much as a rookie, and the team signed Chris Ivory, but Yeldon is still likely to be a big factor this year.
You should probably chill on the playoff talk in 2016 for Jacksonville, but some excellent drafting from 2014 to 2016 is the biggest reason for increased optimism.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS
2015 ranking: 16
Similar to Jacksonville, you have an elite defensive talent in Houston waiting to break out (Jadeveon Clowney), and basically the whole receiving corps on display. Injuries have limited Clowney's impact, but he did contribute 18.5 hurries last season. Benardrick McKinney has locked up an inside linebacker job after 35 stops (plays that prevent a successful gain) last year. Andre Hal took over at safety for Rahim Moore in 2015 and hasn't looked back. Cornerback Kevin Johnson had a solid rookie season, finishing 23rd in adjusted success rate and 28th in adjusted yards per pass allowed.
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is still only 24 years old, proved last season that he could produce with a mediocre quarterback play. His prospects should improve with Brock Osweiler now throwing the ball to him. Hopkins should also have more help this year after the Texans spent first- and third-round picks on Will Fuller and Braxton Miller, respectively. Jaelen Strong only seemed to show up against the Colts last year, but he's another option for Osweiler. Overall, there's more speed and versatility in this year's receiving corps. Houston does not use its tight end much, but C.J. Fiedorowicz is first on the depth chart.
Houston also drafted Notre Dame center Nick Martin in the second round, and he does not face much competition to win that job immediately this year.
3. MIAMI DOLPHINS
2015 ranking: 2
Miami shares some traits with our top two teams, but one big difference is the lack of a blue-chip talent on defense. Rookie cornerback Xavien Howard should start this year, but he isn't exactly Deion Sanders. Miami has spent first-round picks on offensive players each of the past three years. The offensive line now features four first-rounders, so the results better improve under new coach Adam Gase with that much talent.
Laremy Tunsil could be the biggest steal of the year after he fell to Miami with the 13th pick in the draft. A lot of experts had Tunsil as the best player in the entire 2016 class, but an old video of him smoking from a bong while wearing a gas mask surfaced just before the draft and caused him to slip. He'll start at left guard in Miami, and maybe the off-field troubles prove to be relevant in this case, but it's probably just as likely that the Dolphins got a great player.
Miami's top four wideouts are all U25 talent. In Gase's system, DeVante Parker should play a similar role to Demaryius Thomas and Alshon Jeffery. Kenny Stills is a more traditional speed/deep threat, leaving Jarvis Landry in the slot, a la Wes Welker or Eddie Royal. Third-round rookie Leonte Carroo should also contribute, but getting Parker heavily involved is really the goal here.
The addition of running back Arian Foster likely takes some carries from Jay Ajayi, who was hoping to shine following Lamar Miller's departure. He still can, but our projections are tempered with the Foster signing.
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2015 ranking: 22
No team made a bigger climb in the rankings this year than Tampa Bay. Quarterback Jameis Winston's rookie year has a lot to do with that. His play was reminiscent of Andrew Luck's rookie season in 2012. Winston was hit more than any quarterback (123 times) in a vertical offense where his accuracy was sometimes scattershot, as were his receiver's hands. Mike Evans dropped too many passes and didn't catch as many touchdowns as his rookie season, but he's still one of the better young receiving talents out there. Austin Seferian-Jenkins could be another big target for Winston if the tight end can stay healthy.
Left tackle Donovan Smith and right guard Ali Marpet struggled as rookies, but the offense managed to move the ball. If the Bucs improve and Winston works more high-percentage passes into his game, then scoring should go up for Dirk Koetter's offense.
Tampa Bay went heavy on the offense in the 2014-15 drafts, but linebacker Kwon Alexander was a good find in the fourth round last year. This year, the Buccaneers added cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, an instant starter, and defensive end Noah Spence, who should be part of pass-rushing rotation.
One big negative: The second-round selection of kicker Roberto Aguayo is still a tough one to swallow. We don't expect him to give the team any significant boost this season.
5. LOS ANGELES RAMS
2015 ranking: 3
The Rams have finished in the top five of these rankings for three straight years, yet Jeff Fisher hasn't been able to get this team over the 8-8 hump. His excuses are running out, as the Rams continue to stockpile U25 talent, even as some players (namely Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald) no longer qualify.
Todd Gurley should have his eyes on the rushing title this year, and with Le'Veon Bell suspended, he might be the best U25 back in the league. His offensive line has three U25 starters, including a former No. 2 overall pick (left tackle Greg Robinson), and we only charted right tackle Rob Havenstein with two blown blocks in 2015. Pharoh Cooper, even as a fourth-round rookie, has a good shot to produce in this passing game right away.
The defense has aged to the point where we're mostly just talking about Alec Ogletree and E.J. Gaines at U25, but that's fine. The Rams should get their share of credit for landing quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Our QBASE projection system heavily favored Goff over Carson Wentz, and no matter when he makes his debut in Los Angeles, Goff will be a long-term improvement over the Rams' other options at quarterback.
6. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2015 ranking: 7
The Vikings are the only team in the league to have multiple U25 Pro Bowlers, but one of them -- quarterback Teddy Bridgewater -- is about as polarizing as they come. No, he was not a top-10 quarterback in 2015, but he has been better than his bland numbers, namely the 14 touchdown passes per season, suggest. Bridgewater's passing plus-minus, which adjusts for where and how far the ball was thrown, ranked fifth in 2015. Plus, despite being pressured on a league-high 36.0 percent of his plays, Bridgewater still ranked in DVOA's top 14 with and without pressure.
Bridgewater still has plenty of improving to do, but for now, he's the best U25 quarterback in the NFL. He got a great start from wide receiver Stefon Diggs last season, and first-round pick Laquon Treadwell figures to add a boost to the passing game.
Minnesota's other Pro Bowler was linebacker Anthony Barr, who combined for 97 stops with fellow under-25 stud Eric Kendricks last season. Their main responsibility is not pass-rushing, but Barr's all-around game saw him register 11 hurries and defend the pass well in coverage. While rookie corner Trae Waynes looked lost at times last year, he charted well on a small number (23) of targets. If Waynes or second-round rookie Mackensie Alexander can contribute to the secondary this year, then expect to see the Vikings in the top five of these rankings next year.
7. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2015 ranking: 5
Pittsburgh would challenge for No. 1 if Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant didn't keep getting suspended. Bell is the league's only U25 first-team All-Pro on offense, but he'll likely serve a four-game suspension to start the season. Upon return, he should still be one of the best running backs in the league. Bryant is an immensely talented wideout, but he'll miss the entire 2016 season for again violating the league's substance abuse policy. He gets no credit here. Second-year WR Sammie Coates is a dark horse to step up in Bryant's absence.
Linebacker Ryan Shazier has missed 11 games due to injury in his first two years, but his athleticism was on full display in the playoff win in Cincinnati as he forced two huge fumbles. But Pittsburgh's most underrated player is defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who actually had more hurries (19.5) than teammate Cameron Heyward (16.5) last season. If Bud Dupree can improve in his second season, the Steelers have a talented front seven built around young players.
From 2006 through 2014, Pittsburgh never used a first- or second-round pick on a defensive back. It has used three in the past two years, though safety Sean Davis and corners Senquez Golson and Artie Burns are not guaranteed to start in 2016. But they should start contributing to a secondary that desperately needs of an influx of talent.
8. ARIZONA CARDINALS
2015 ranking: 19
Tyrann Mathieu is the only first-team All-Pro U25 defender in the league. He's recovering from his second torn ACL, but his versatility is key to this defense. Mathieu had 31 defeats and 10 hurries in 2015. The other player pining for greatness already is running back David Johnson, who scored 13 touchdowns on limited touches as a rookie. He should take over as the workhorse in a Bruce Arians offense that favors one back.
Those two players alone get Arizona moving up the rankings, but speedy receiver J.J. Nelson, nose tackle Rodney Gunter and linebacker Kareem Martin provide good depth. Tony Jefferson can play a traditional safety role and the Cardinals have moved Deone Bucannon into that "dollar linebacker" hybrid position, where he had 23 defeats last season.
Then there are the Cardinals' last two first-round picks. D.J. Humphries, a healthy scratch in all of 2015, should get his shot at right tackle this year. Robert Nkemdiche likely fell in the draft because of off-field concerns. We view him as a backup for 2016, but Nkemdiche could eventually develop into a force when lined up next to Calais Campbell.
9. CAROLINA PANTHERS
2015 ranking: 8
Carolina's 2014 draft is really starting to pay off, even with Kelvin Benjamin and Bene Benwikere just missing the age cutoff. If not for Von Miller, defensive end Kony Ealy would have been Super Bowl MVP. He was a factor in the regular season, too, with 21 hurries. Trai Turner was a Pro Bowl right guard, finishing third at his position in snaps per blown block last season. Left guard Andrew Norwell is not as good, but he's not a liability either. Tre Boston could start at safety in his third season.
Wide receiver Devin Funchess made some big plays as a rookie (15.3 yards per catch), but he has plenty of room to get better this year. Corey Brown is still 24 and has been a dependable target for Cam Newton.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson did not log many snaps for a first-round rookie, but he still had 37 stops in 2015. He should be a 16-game starter this year. As for Carolina's 2016 draft, Vernon Butler joins a crowded depth chart at defensive tackle, but the competition at cornerback is very much open after the departure of Josh Norman. James Bradberry was the highest-drafted of the Carolina's three rookie corners. The second-rounder brings good size to the secondary.
10. BUFFALO BILLS
2015 ranking: 4
Buffalo is the only team in the top 10 without an All-Pro or Pro Bowl U25 player, but you figure it's just a matter of time (or health) for Sammy Watkins to get there. Watkins basically was the Bills' passing game down the stretch of 2015 (6 TDs in their final six games), but Robert Woods is still 24 and has three years of starting experience. He just hasn't progressed much yet, usually good for 600 yards and a couple of touchdowns per season.
Right guard John Miller only ranked 39th in snaps per blown block, so he'll have to play much better this year to keep that job. We initially gave the Bills credit for Karlos Williams as a strong backup to LeSean McCoy, but concerns over Williams' weight, his four-game suspension and some touchdown regression make him an unlikely big-time contributor in 2016.
Preston Brown was the linebacker who made Kiko Alonso expendable in Buffalo, finishing 2015 with 62 stops. Cornerback Ronald Darby was targeted 91 times as a rookie, but he only allowed 5.3 yards per pass, the sixth-best average in the league. Nickell Robey has more than just a suitable name for his position -- he's a good No. 3 corner.
Buffalo went defense-heavy in the draft. First-rounder Shaq Lawson will miss a lot of time with a shoulder injury, but Reggie Ragland and Adolphus Washington should contribute immediately.
11. TENNESSEE TITANS
2015 ranking: 21
Some might say a quarterback talent like Marcus Mariota should have the Titans near the top, but this team's lack of success and curious personnel decisions make 11th fair. Mariota's rookie season was more solid than good, and he loaded up with 11 of his 19 touchdown passes against three of the worst pass defenses in the league. It's also a little worrisome that he missed four games with injuries. His ceiling is still high, but we need to see more before moving the Titans closer to the top.
Rookie Jack Conklin should start at right tackle, but you have to wonder if the Titans will regret passing on Laremy Tunsil. Tackle Jeremiah Poutasi struggled last year and ranked last at his position in snaps per blown block. Right guard Chance Warmack performed considerably better, ranking sixth in snaps per blown block.
It seemed like Dorial Green-Beckham's arrow was pointing up until he was reportedly benched this offseason, even behind fifth-round rookie Tajae Sharpe. Rookie running back Derrick Henry would factor in more here if he didn't have to share snaps with DeMarco Murray.
DaQuan Jones is a young starter on the defensive line and Avery Williamson had 56 stops as an inside linebacker. Kevin Dodd and Austin Johnson were drafted in the second round this year, but don't expect big roles from either in 2016.
12. NEW YORK GIANTS
2015 ranking: 6
Odell Beckham Jr. is off to one of the best starts ever for a wide receiver. He alone does a lot to lift the Giants in these rankings. The Giants would be happy if rookie Sterling Shepard was half as good right away, and he should get his shot, as Victor Cruz has been slow to return to action. Left tackle Ereck Flowers had some rookie growing pains, allowing 21 blown blocks in the passing game last season. Running back Andre Williams and tight end Will Tye provide depth, but not starter-quality snaps.
New York went big on defense this offseason, starting with the first-round selection of cornerback Eli Apple. He's most likely to be the Giants' No. 3 corner this season, which is still an important job in today's NFL. Landon Collins had an active rookie season. The safety's biggest regret is probably dropping a game-ending interception thrown by Tom Brady; it would have doubled Collins' total for the season. He was better at stopping the run than defending the pass. A year after placing four safeties on injured reserve, the Giants could start third-round rookie Darian Thompson opposite Collins.
13. ATLANTA FALCONS
2015 ranking: 26
Devonta Freeman, 24, cooled off down the stretch of his surprise Pro Bowl season, but he deserves to get the main share of touches this season. Tevin Coleman is 23, so the Atlanta backfield is covered here. Roddy White's departure should open up more opportunities for wide receiver Justin Hardy, who had just 21 catches as a rookie. Jake Matthews has settled in at left tackle, ranking fifth in snaps per blown block last year.
The Falcons hired Dan Quinn in 2015 to turn around the defense, so it was no surprise when he made Vic Beasley his first draft pick. Beasley didn't produce much as a rookie, accounting for just four sacks and 12.5 hurries. Atlanta went defense in the first round again this year with safety Keanu Neal, who figures to be a Week 1 starter. The draft community was split on Neal, but he should bring a physical presence as an in-the-box safety.
Cornerback Jalen Collins' NFL career got off to a rocky start in 2015; quarterbacks targeted him 25 times in limited snaps. He only has to be the team's third-best corner this year, behind Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has locked up a starting spot for ability to stuff the run.
14. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2015 ranking: 25
This might seem a little high for the 49ers, but a healthy Carlos Hyde is primed for a career year in Chip Kelly's offense, and the team could boast as many as five U25 starters who were first-round picks. San Francisco reloaded its defensive line by spending back-to-back first-rounders on five-technique DEs out of Oregon -- Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. The 49ers also traded up for Stanford guard Joshua Garnett this year to bolster the running game.
Safety Eric Reid has not played as well in the past two seasons, after making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2013. Jimmie Ward had better charting stats last year, but he is really a corner/safety hybrid.
Pass-rusher Aaron Lynch is the key player here, but the 49ers get a downgrade for his four-game suspension to start the season. Last year, Lynch had 34 hurries, but only 6.5 sacks. That usually bodes well for a better sack ratio the following season. Until Lynch returns, someone like Eli Harold, who only had four hurries as a rookie in 2015, will be asked to fill in.
15. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2015 ranking: 27
Why did the Saints shoot up the rankings? For starters, the top four wide receivers on their depth chart are all under 25 and get a chance to play with Drew Brees in one of the most prolific passing games in NFL history. Brandin Cooks just had his first 1,000-yard season as the new No. 1 in New Orleans. Willie Snead was a pleasant surprise in his first year of experience after going undrafted. The Saints added Michael Thomas in the second round of the draft as another weapon, and Brandon Coleman was the fifth-leading receiver on the 2015 offense, which also returns Andrus Peat, a first-round pick who has moved from tackle to guard.
Defense is where the Saints need major help after allowing an NFL-record 45 touchdown passes in 2015. Some of those same players will be on the field this year, looking for better results: Bobby Richardson and Stephone Anthony. P.J. Williams, a third-round pick in 2015, could start at corner after missing his entire rookie season to injury.
New Orleans did target defense early in the draft. Sheldon Rankins should immediately improve an interior pass rush that was nonexistent last season. Safety Vonn Bell might not start because of Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro, but he has cornerback skills and teams are more open to playing three safeties these days.
16. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2015 ranking: 24
Cornerback Marcus Peters led all defenders with 116 targets according to our game charting, but he made quarterbacks pay, intercepting eight passes and ranking 15th in adjusted success rate. The 2015 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year should soften some of the blow of Sean Smith leaving in free agency. After Peters, though, this defense doesn't have a ton of U25 star potential yet.
Center Mitch Morse had his issues in pass protection, but so did most of the Kansas City offensive line. Pencil him in as a 16-game starter. Fourth-round rookie Parker Ehinger will have an opportunity to take over at left guard this season. The skill players provide decent depth. Slot receiver Albert Wilson is a good fit for Alex Smith's short-passing game, and Chris Conley showed some playmaking ability on limited chances last season. Spencer Ware looked like the best young running back on the team late in the season before getting injured in the playoffs. Tight end James O'Shaughnessy is a good fit to back up emerging star Travis Kelce.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones, Kansas City's first draft pick this year (in the second round), should be expected to play behind Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard as a rookie.
17. CHICAGO BEARS
2015 ranking: 28
Injury robbed us of seeing Kevin White in action last year. One of the most talented wide receivers in the 2015 draft, White should be a significant part of the passing game this season. Jeremy Langford gets the opportunity to fill Matt Forte's shoes, with a stable of young RBs behind him. The whole left side of the offensive line has U25 starters, including rookie guard Cody Whitehair. For a seventh-round pick, Charles Leno did a respectable job at left tackle last season, but center Hroniss Grasu must improve in his second year.
Chicago is almost unrecognizable on defense these days, with no more holdovers from the Lovie Smith era. Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman quietly did his job against the run last season, ranking 11th in run-stop rate. First-round linebacker Leonard Floyd has a shot to contribute right away this season. Safety Adrian Amos struggled in 2015, finishing 70th in adjusted success rate and 70th in adjusted yards per pass allowed while also missing 13 tackles. Cornerback Kyle Fuller actually missed 16 tackles, but his coverage was not as poor.
18. GREEN BAY PACKERS
2015 ranking: 10
We ranked Green Bay in the top 10 the previous two years, but some of those players no longer qualify and some draft picks have not panned out yet. Remember all the Davante Adams hype after Jordy Nelson's injury last year? He turned in a miserable season and shouldn't assume a high spot on the depth chart anymore.
Tight end Richard Rodgers caught the famed Hail Mary in Detroit, but the team brought in Jared Cook this offseason, which could limit Rodgers' snaps. Left tackle David Bakhtiari is the real U25 gem on the offensive side of the ball for Green Bay. He ranked 14th in snaps per blown block among 2015 left tackles.
A trio of fourth-round picks from the past three drafts will battle it out for Green Bay's inside linebacker positions. Jake Ryan got his feet wet last year with 260 snaps, but 2014 fourth-rounder Carl Bradford has yet to play in a regular-season game. Rookie Blake Martinez is very much in this competition to start, as well.
The rebuilt secondary is where Green Bay can feel most comfortable. Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix built on his rookie campaign with another good sophomore campaign in 2015. Rookie cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins experienced their share of growing pains, but that is all too common with young cornerbacks. Both should be a much bigger part of the defense this season.
19. NEW YORK JETS
2015 ranking: 18
The progression of Leonard Williams -- and maybe quarterback Christian Hackenberg down the road -- will have a lot to do with where the Jets rank on this list over the next few years. As a rookie, Williams proved stout against the run, while also contributing 17 quarterback hits despite lining up inside frequently.
Jace Amaro missed all of 2015 with a torn labrum, and the Jets had eight receptions by tight ends without him. This is likely to still be a wide receiver-heavy passing game, but Amaro should add another dimension this year.
Defensively, Lorenzo Mauldin led all Jets linebackers with 14.5 hurries last season in a limited role. Look for him to start this season in Todd Bowles' aggressive defense. First-round rookie Darron Lee has a decent shot to contribute right away, and safety Calvin Pryor, the Jets' 2014 first-rounder, was around the ball more often last season. Believe it or not, cornerback Dee Milliner doesn't turn 25 until mid-September. It's really now or never for the 2013 first-rounder after injuries and disappointing play has him looking like a bust.
20. CINCINNATI BENGALS
2015 ranking: 17
While center Russell Bodine is a passable starter, Cincinnati slipped a little in the rankings after disappointing seasons from players expected to make a leap. Jeremy Hill mostly scored his 11 touchdowns in bunches, but never rushed for 100 yards in any game, lost a huge fumble late in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh and was outplayed by teammate Giovani Bernard.
Cornerback Darqueze Dennard, a 2014 first-round pick, has struggled to earn playing time, and the Bengals drafted yet another corner, William Jackson III, in the first round this year. If anyone makes an in impact in the secondary this season, it might be new starting safety Derron Smith, taking over for Pro Bowler Reggie Nelson.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings could be a fourth-round steal and future replacement for Domata Peko, but do not expect much in 2016. We know 2015 premium picks Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher have a future at tackle on the offensive line, but again, we did not give the Bengals much credit for expected redshirt efforts this year. The Bengals need plenty of help at wide receiver after losing their Nos. 2 and 3 options in free agency. Second-round pick Tyler Boyd should be in the mix, but expectations should be tame this season.
21. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2015 ranking: 32
Seattle fans can relax. We did not rank your team 32nd for the third year in a row, thanks in large part to the third-round steal of Tyler Lockett. He was an All-Pro return specialist last year and an effective wide receiver, finishing third in DVOA.
Undrafted running back Thomas Rawls finished with the fifth-highest rushing success rate (62 percent) in our database since 1989. Rawls, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14, also led the league in rushing DYAR despite only 147 carries. He looks to be a worthy successor to Marshawn Lynch, but Seattle drafted three running backs just in case Rawls isn't healthy. Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise could have an instant impact as a receiving back.
Frank Clark. a 2015 second-rounder, had a good rookie season rotating along the D-line, and Seattle hopes to have struck again with run-stopping defensive tackle Jarran Reed this year. Where the Seahawks don't get much credit is along the offensive line, which is arguably the worst in the NFL. Guards Mark Glowinski and first-round rookie Germain Ifedi could easily win starting jobs just due to the lack of competition.
22. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
2015 ranking: 11
Before a kidney injury ended his season, Keenan Allen was on pace for 134 receptions. He could have a huge 2016, especially if the running game remains stalled with Melvin Gordon, who ranked next-to-last in DVOA as a rookie. All four San Diego backs averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry last season, so the blocking was definitely an issue, but Gordon scoring zero touchdowns on 217 touches was shocking.
Two linebackers to keep an eye on: Jeremiah Attaochu, who compiled 21.5 hurries in 2015, and Denzel Perryman, a former second-rounder. Perryman lived up to his reputation as a tackler last season, making 41 stops on just 386 snaps. For reference, Manti Te'o had 47 stops on 710 snaps last season.
San Diego's 2016 draft should help eventually, but Joey Bosa, the first defensive player off the board, needs to get into camp as soon as possible. Tight end Hunter Henry should be the Antonio Gates replacement that we always thought Ladarius Green was going to be.
23. BALTIMORE RAVENS
2015 ranking: 20
Baltimore could have about seven U25 starters this season, but most are unproven in the NFL. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman has yet to play a down, but could be a significant producer this season after suffering a knee injury as a rookie. The draft pedigree is even higher at left tackle, where sixth overall pick Ronnie Stanley looks like an instant replacement for Eugene Monroe. Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams figure to factor in at tight end, and rookie back Kenneth Dixon could earn his share of touches in 2016.
Baltimore's linebackers are very young. C.J. Mosley was more productive as a rookie, but he's still one of the league's five U25 Pro Bowl defenders in this study. Second-round rookie Kamalei Correa will challenge for the starting job after the Ravens let Daryl Smith go.
Timmy Jernigan, who led the defensive line with 12 quarterback hurries last season, will look to make another leap in Year 3. The secondary is filled with veterans, though fourth-round rookie Tavon Young could make a run at the nickel corner job.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS
2015 ranking: 1
No team suffered a bigger drop in the rankings than the Cowboys, but their 4-12 season had almost nothing to do with it. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin make up three-fifths of the best offensive line in the NFL, and they all turned 25 in the past year. Suspensions for Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence didn't help the Cowboys' cause. Neither did the fact that second-round rookie Jaylon Smith won't be ready to play after the torn knee ligaments and nerve damage he suffered in college.
At least left guard La'el Collins showed promise as a rookie, not allowing a single sack. Cornerback Byron Jones finished 12th in adjusted success rate in coverage, a respectable spot for a rookie.
Where one chooses to rank Dallas really depends on how much you love the idea of Ezekiel Elliott running behind that big offensive line. Rookie backs dominating immediately is nothing new, but it has been rare in recent years, especially for backs taken high in the first round. Elliott should be pretty good this year, but the fate of Dallas' season still depends on the health and play of Tony Romo more than anything else.
25. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2015 ranking: 30
Assuming Andrew Luck's 2015 season was an aberration, this offense should get back on track in 2016. With fewer options in the passing game, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett should form a productive trio with the more established T.Y. Hilton. Part of keeping Luck healthy was finding him a consistent starting center. Enter Ryan Kelly, the Colts' first-round selection. Versatile lineman Jack Mewhort has secured a job at left guard, and three rookies -- Le'Raven Clark, Joe Haeg, Austin Blythe -- will challenge for playing time up front.
Defensively, the Colts had the oldest unit in the league for the second year in a row, and they might make it a three-peat. David Parry, who surprised last season as a 16-game starter after being drafted in the fifth round, has taken over the nose tackle job. He just needs more production after compiling only 24 stops and two hurries. The secondary is full of veterans, but there should be a good shot for a recent draft pick like Clayton Geathers (2015) or second-round rookie T.J. Green to win a starting safety job this year.
26. DENVER BRONCOS
2015 ranking: 23
Bradley Roby has already laid claim to being the NFL's best No. 3 cornerback, and he might get an opportunity to move outside if Aqib Talib's problems from last season persist. Roby headlines Denver's U25 class, which has plenty of developmental talent but not a ton of instant-impact guys.
Paxton Lynch should eventually grow into a starting quarterback, but Gary Kubiak has been reluctant to hand him the reins yet, opting instead for Mark Sanchez or Trevor Siemian. You'd like to think Ty Sambrailo would move back to left tackle after battling injuries as a rookie, but Denver signed Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson. It appears Sambrailo will have to compete with fifth-round rookie Connor McGovern for the right guard spot on an offensive line in major need of improvement.
Ronnie Hillman, who turns 25 six days after the season opener, is clearly the lesser running back behind C.J. Anderson when both are healthy, but he re-signed with Denver to be the backup. WR Cody Latimer looks like a bust, with just eight catches in his first two seasons, and the unproven Jeff Heuerman might be the starting tight end, but it's hard to get too excited after a torn ACL cost him his rookie season.
Defensively, former undrafted linebacker Todd Davis has to fill Danny Trevathan's shoes -- no small task -- and Shane Ray's only way to a big season is if Von Miller or DeMarcus Ware get hurt. Ray finished his rookie season with four sacks and 5.5 hurries in limited snaps.
27. OAKLAND RAIDERS
2015 ranking: 13
Oakland would be considerably higher had Khalil Mack not turned 25 this year. Wide receiver Amari Cooper immediately contributed with a 1,000-yard receiving season, something the Raiders have not gotten from a player they drafted since Tim Brown. Cooper's inconsistency is a little concerning, but what he was able to do right away should not be taken for granted. He just doesn't rank as highly as young receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. or DeAndre Hopkins yet.
The Raiders should have three more starters from their 2015 draft class, starting with Clive Walford, who will be looking for more targets as the team's leading receiving tight end in his second season. Otherwise, Oakland's U25 talent resides in Jack Del Rio's defense, led by Mario Edwards Jr. and Ben Heeney. Both had marginal impact last year, which again is why Oakland does not rank higher despite its new reputation as a young team on the rise.
First-round safety Karl Joseph has big shoes to fill with the retirement of Charles Woodson, but Joseph's physicality is more in the mold of Bob Sanders. The Raiders just hope Joseph ends up more durable than the former Colts star.
28. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
2015 ranking: 31
The Redskins didn't climb much in the rankings, but they can take comfort in the fact that young talent will provide depth at a few key positions. After the addition of Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland only has to be the second-best corner on the team, and converted receiver Quinton Dunbar can continue to grow into the position. Jamison Crowder emerged as the team's third wide receiver last year, which made it a bit surprising when Josh Doctson was drafted in the first round. Both could find targets hard to come by in the deep receiving corps.
Washington spent second-round picks on an edge rusher in 2014 (Trent Murphy) and 2015 (Preston Smith), while also picking up Su'a Cravens in the 2016 draft. Cravens profiles as a hybrid linebacker who will occasionally get after the QB. With Ryan Kerrigan locking up one side of the pass-rush, there are limited opportunities to get these players on the field, but Junior Galette's second torn Achilles will free up a little playing time. Smith had eight sacks and 12 hurries as a rookie, but his consistency needs to improve in Year 2.
Matt Jones has a lot to prove as a starting running back after finishing dead last in DVOA in 2015. And right guard Brandon Scherff, the fifth overall pick in 2015, ranked 16th at his position in snaps per blown block as a rookie, but Washington's quick-passing game helped a lot there.
29. CLEVELAND BROWNS
2015 ranking: 12
Cleveland's U25 contributors nearly reach double-digits, but we're hesitant to overvalue them with so many unknowns. The Browns have to hope first-year coach Hue Jackson will finally change for the better. First-round wideout Corey Coleman has a great opportunity to produce right away. Running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson combined for more than 1,800 yards from scrimmage last season. Center Cameron Erving struggled as a rookie, but left guard Joel Bitonio is one of the better players at his position.
Defensively, Xavier Cooper, Danny Shelton and Christian Kirksey should all return as starters. Unfortunately, they combined for 6.5 hurries and respectively ranked 60th, 68th and 87th in run-stop rate last season. Nate Orchard, a 2015 second-round pick, ranked 78th and only had two hurries. Translation: Stopping the run and getting after the quarterback are still major problems for this defense.
30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
2015 ranking: 14
Some solid draft classes kept the Eagles around 14th the past two years, but Zach Ertz and Fletcher Cox both turned 25 and no longer qualify. Marcus Smith has made little impact with 1.5 sacks in two years, and Nelson Agholor was far from impressive as a rookie (just 23 catches). Jordan Matthews is not well-suited to be a No. 1 wideout; he's more of a slot WR, but he should still lead the team in receiving again this year.
The Eagles actually gain back a Pro Bowler from injury, but it's just kicker Cody Parkey, who had marginal value on kickoffs in 2014. We'd also normally give a boost for drafting a quarterback No. 2 overall, but we downgraded Philadelphia for the decision to redshirt Carson Wentz this year. Even if he were the starter, Wentz raises plenty of red flags given his limited experience in a run-heavy offense against lesser college competition.
Eric Rowe should see more snaps this year, but the U25 defender in Philadelphia to watch is linebacker Jordan Hicks, who outplayed teammate Kiko Alonso. Hicks was leading the team in tackles before tearing his pectoral in Week 9.
31. DETROIT LIONS
2015 ranking: 15
Detroit's fall is largely due to the offensive line getting older, though the Lions did draft left tackle Taylor Decker, giving them three first-round starters along the offensive line. That includes left guard Laken Tomlinson, who only ranked 29th in snaps per blown block among 2015 left guards.
Tight ends usually take a while to develop, but Eric Ebron -- who was drafted two spots ahead of Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014 -- is averaging less than 30 yards per game in his first three seasons. The Lions could get a boost from running back Ameer Abdullah, provided he can hold on to the ball (five fumbles) to earn more carries in his sophomore season. Abdullah only had one game in which he broke 70 rushing yards, and it was 77 yards against the Saints, the league's worst defense.
On the bright side, the Lions may have their defensive tackles of the future in Caraun Reid and second-round rookie A'Shawn Robinson. They'll compete for playing time with veterans Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker this season.
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2015 ranking: 29
After whiffing on 2014 first-round pick Dominique Easley, who the Patriots released this offseason, it looks like Bill Belichick found a long-term starter at defensive tackle in 2015 first-rounder Malcom Brown.
But after Brown, we're looking at two guards, Shaq Mason and Tre' Jackson, both of whom struggled last year and opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. New England's 2016 draft might not yield much instant impact, either. Alabama's Cyrus Jones could be a nickel corner, but Belichick has been hit-or-miss with developing second-round defensive backs.
We gave a small amount of credit to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is now locked in as the starter for the first four games with Tom Brady suspended. His audition for the role of Brady's successor-in-waiting starts in earnest against the Cardinals in Week 1.
Methodology
We wanted to create a ranking that balanced opportunity with performance and potential, so we used the following criteria
The number of games in 2015 started by players under the age of 25
The number of snaps played in 2015 by players under the age of 25
Whether a team's young starters last season were simply injury replacements
The number of under-25 first-team All-Pros and Pro Bowl players a team has on its roster (All-Pros were given more weight than Pro Bowls)
Positional value (young quarterbacks and positions impacting the passing game carry more weight; backup running backs and kickers are devalued)
The amount of value a team added in the 2016 draft, with a focus on the first two rounds (premium picks)
The expected number of key starters and reserves under the age of 25 in 2016
A team's recent track record of developing and retaining young talent
Players with significant injury or suspension issues in 2016 are downgraded
You'll see a number of references to Football Outsiders stats on our list, in particular DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), which takes every play and compares its success to the NFL average based on situation and opponent. You can read more about that and other FO stats on this page. Statistics that reference game charting come from the collective efforts of ESPN Stats & Information and Sports Info Solutions, and you can find a lot more of those stats in the newly released Football Outsiders Almanac 2016.