Starting an NFL Franchise: Top 100 Players 24 or Under

By Samuel King

If the NFL started over, who are you counting on to take your squad to the promised land? Per usual, FOG is taking a deep dive into the decision making process of a GM in the NFL. This time, we considered all ascending players at the age of 24 or younger, with an emphasis on potential rather than production. The idea of starting a franchise and players’ upsides go hand in hand, therefore this should give a glimpse of who FOG views as the next set of stars heading into the 2020-2021 NFL season.

1. Pat Mahomes (24)
   This is unanimous. Mahomes has the chance to be the GOAT, and he just got paid like it.
2. Lamar Jackson (23)
   Lamar is the most dynamic running QB in NFL history (I’ll take him over Vick). His ascension as a passer was clear last season and his highlight reel speaks for itself.
3. Nick Bosa (22)
   Bosa was a bonafide force off the edge every Sunday for the NFC Champs, as he won DROY. Look for him to blow past his total of 9 sacks from last year.
4. Jamal Adams (24)
   The best safety in the NFL is only 24 years old. His 12 sacks are the most by a DB through their first three seasons since sacks were first recorded in 1982. Last year, Jamal’s 17 pressures were the most by any DB, by a margin of 10 pressures, according to ESPN and Next Gen Stats. In addition to his impressive play on the field, his confidence and competitiveness is infectious for any locker room.
5. Quenton Nelson (24)
   Nelson is the top run blocking guard in the NFL right now, and at the age of 24, he is in line for a massive contract extension in 2022 once his current rookie contract expires.
6. Deshaun Watson (24)
   
7. Myles Garrett (24)
   
8. Derwin James (23)
   
9. Kyler Murray (21)
   
10. Saquon Barkley (23)
    
11. Chase Young (21)
    
12. CMC (24)
    
13. Orlando Brown (24)
    
14. Minkah Fitzpatrick (23)
    
15. Marlon Humphrey (24)
    
16. Chris Godwin (24)
    
17. Darius Leonard (24)
    
18. Zeke Elliot (24)
    
19. Jaire Alexander (23)
    
20. Bradley Chubb (24)
    
21. Isaiah Simmons (21)
    
22. Leighton Vander Esch (24)
    
23. Jeff Okudah (21)
    
24. Joe Burrow (23)
    
25. Dalvin Cook (24)
    
26. Tremaine Edmunds (22)
27. Marshon Lattimore (24)
28. Mekhi Becton (21)
29. Alvin Kamara (24)
30. Devin Bush (21)
31. Denzel Ward (23)
32. Sam Darnold (23)
33. Derrick Brown (22)
34. CeeDee Lamb (21)
35. Kenny Clark (24)
36. Jerry Jeudy (21)
37. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22)
38. Josh Allen (EDGE) (22)
39. Jedrick Wills (21)
40. Tua Tagovailoa (21)
41. Fred Warner (23)
42. JuJu Smith-Schuster (23)
43. Keanu Neal (24)
44. Josh Jacobs (22)
45. Courtland Sutton (24)
46. Roquan Smith (23)
47. Henry Ruggs III (21)
48. AJ Brown (23)
49. DK Metcalf (22)
50. DJ Moore (23)
51. Marcus Williams (23)
52. Rashaan Evans (24)
53. Joe Mixon (23)
54. Justin Herbert (22)
55. Marcus Davenport (23)
56. Marquise Brown (23)
57. Quinnen Williams (22)
58. Montez Sweat (23)
59. Nick Chubb (24)
60. Mark Andrews (24)
61. Patrick Queen (20)
62. Carlton Davis (23)
63. Frank Ragnow (24)
64. Michael Gallup (24)
65. Tristan Wirfs (21)
66. Shaq Griffin (24)
67. Jon Abram (23)
68. Noah Fant (22)
69. Andrew Thomas (21)
70. Justin Jefferson (21)
71. CJ Henderson (21)
72. Javon Kinlaw (22)
73. Jalen Reagor (21)
74. Dwayne Haskins (23)
75. Dre Greenlaw (23)
76. Jonathan Taylor (21)
77. Mecole Hardman (22)
78. Marlon Mack (24)
79. Taylor Rapp (22)
80. Jordan Love (21)
81. Antoine Winfield Jr (21)
82. DJ Chark (23)
83. Isaiah Wynn (24)
84. Jeff Gladney (23)
85. JK Dobbins (21)
86. Miles Sanders (23)
87. Deebo Samuel (24)
88. Brandon Aiyuk (22)
89. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (21)
90. Michael Pittman (22)
91. Dionte Johnson (24)
92. Elgton Jenkins (24)
93. Daniel Jones (23)
94. Josh Allen (QB) (24)
95. TJ Hockenson (23)
96. Andre Dillard (24)
97. Malik Hooker (24)
98. Cesar Ruiz (21)
99. Drew Lock (23)
100. Cam Akers (21)