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2 top 25 players and an honorable mention 
NFL's top 25 players under 25 - 2016
by Mel Kiper Jr.Mike Sando on 2016-12-21 02:50:03 UTC (original: http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/18214748/nfl-top-25-players-25-2016)
Tis better to receive than to give for the NFL's top young talent in 2016. Wide receivers outnumber quarterbacks by an 8-3 margin in ESPN's annual Mel Kiper-inspired ranking of the top 25 players under 25 years old. It's the same drill as in years past: The rankings are a blend of production and potential, which made for a few strong objections from NFL evaluators. What fun would it be if everyone agreed?
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
Beckham's 262 receptions for 3,770 yards and 33 touchdowns place him in elite company through the first three seasons of a career -- even though Beckham has missed five games and still has four to play this season. Since 2001, only Jarvis Landry has more receptions (268) through three seasons. Only A.J. Green has more receiving yards (3,833). Only Rob Gronkowski has more receiving TDs (34).
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Elliott and Dak Prescott were the only rookies on the list who were endorsed for inclusion unanimously by NFL evaluators. No rookies in ESPN's data warehouse (dating to 2001) can match Elliott's 1,285 rushing yards through the first 12 games of a season. The other rookies on the leaderboard almost unanimously produced for the long term. Alfred Morris was an exception. Elliott has yet to show the versatility of other backs on this list, but his sheer production as a runner vaults him near the top.
3. Leonard Williams, DL, New York Jets
Williams, in his second season, has become the best player on the Jets' defense through his own strong play and through the regression of others, notably Muhammad Wilkerson and Darrelle Revis. Williams is not an outside pass-rusher, but he still leads the team in sacks with six. He has collected those sacks from five positions: right end, left end, nose tackle, right tackle and left tackle. "Beast," one personnel director said.
4. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Carson Palmer are the only QBs to lead the NFL in Total QBR over the past decade. Prescott could join them. He leads the league this season while throwing 19 TD passes with just two interceptions. Prescott benefits from unusually strong support. He ranks 29th in pass attempts per game, a reflection of the Cowboys' balance and ability to limit his exposure. But he has ably carried out whatever the team has asked from him.
"It always comes down to poise, and the stage has never been too big for him," a personnel evaluator said. "In Pittsburgh, it's a big game in a big-time slot, and he pulls out a win. It is impressive."
5. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell's injury and suspension issues prevented him from ranking higher. There isn't a more versatile top back in the league. Bell possesses both power and speed. He is patient. He picks up blitzes. He regularly detaches from the formation to run routes typically associated with wide receivers. He jukes linebackers both as a ball carrier and as a receiver. Bell has lined up outside the backfield on 17.1 percent of his plays this season, about three times as many as Elliott.
6. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson is the first player since Edgerrin James in 2005 to produce at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the first 12 games to start a season. Johnson can do many of the same things we see from Bell, and it shows in where he lines up: outside the backfield 18.6 percent of the time. Johnson is not as proficient as Bell in pass protection, but that might be the only area where he needs work. How confident are the Cardinals in Johnson? They gave him the ball Sunday on fourth-and-1 from their own 34 with 3:47 left in a game Arizona was leading by a point. Johnson picked up 14 yards.
7. Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
9. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
11. C.J. Mosley, LB, Baltimore Ravens
12. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
13. Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
15. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
16. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona Cardinals
18. Jadeveon Clowney, DL, Houston Texans
19. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
20. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings
21. Joey Bosa, DL, San Diego Chargers
22. Landon Collins, S, New York Giants
23. Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
24. Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
25. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
NFL evaluators did not think Wentz had the consistent production to belong on this list above players such as Jordan Howard, among others, but there are mitigating circumstances. The Eagles' line has suffered without right tackle Lane Johnson. There is no true No. 1 running back on the team. Injuries have slowed top receiver Jordan Matthews. Nelson Agholor isn't even part of the regular rotation. And the schedule has been unrelenting.
Honorable mention: Anthony Barr, Jordan Hicks, Todd Gurley, Malcom Brown, Brandon Scherff, Jack Conklin, Danielle Hunter, Frank Clark, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Vic Beasley Jr., Shane Ray, Eric Kendricks, Ali Marpet, Trai Turner, Davante Adams, Jalen Ramsey, Tevin Coleman, Kenny Stills, Jay Ajayi, Jordan Howard, Deone Bucannon, Kwon Alexander, Eric Reid, Byron Jones.
NFL's top 25 players under 25 - 2016
by Mel Kiper Jr.Mike Sando on 2016-12-21 02:50:03 UTC (original: http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/18214748/nfl-top-25-players-25-2016)
Tis better to receive than to give for the NFL's top young talent in 2016. Wide receivers outnumber quarterbacks by an 8-3 margin in ESPN's annual Mel Kiper-inspired ranking of the top 25 players under 25 years old. It's the same drill as in years past: The rankings are a blend of production and potential, which made for a few strong objections from NFL evaluators. What fun would it be if everyone agreed?
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
Beckham's 262 receptions for 3,770 yards and 33 touchdowns place him in elite company through the first three seasons of a career -- even though Beckham has missed five games and still has four to play this season. Since 2001, only Jarvis Landry has more receptions (268) through three seasons. Only A.J. Green has more receiving yards (3,833). Only Rob Gronkowski has more receiving TDs (34).
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Elliott and Dak Prescott were the only rookies on the list who were endorsed for inclusion unanimously by NFL evaluators. No rookies in ESPN's data warehouse (dating to 2001) can match Elliott's 1,285 rushing yards through the first 12 games of a season. The other rookies on the leaderboard almost unanimously produced for the long term. Alfred Morris was an exception. Elliott has yet to show the versatility of other backs on this list, but his sheer production as a runner vaults him near the top.
3. Leonard Williams, DL, New York Jets
Williams, in his second season, has become the best player on the Jets' defense through his own strong play and through the regression of others, notably Muhammad Wilkerson and Darrelle Revis. Williams is not an outside pass-rusher, but he still leads the team in sacks with six. He has collected those sacks from five positions: right end, left end, nose tackle, right tackle and left tackle. "Beast," one personnel director said.
4. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Carson Palmer are the only QBs to lead the NFL in Total QBR over the past decade. Prescott could join them. He leads the league this season while throwing 19 TD passes with just two interceptions. Prescott benefits from unusually strong support. He ranks 29th in pass attempts per game, a reflection of the Cowboys' balance and ability to limit his exposure. But he has ably carried out whatever the team has asked from him.
"It always comes down to poise, and the stage has never been too big for him," a personnel evaluator said. "In Pittsburgh, it's a big game in a big-time slot, and he pulls out a win. It is impressive."
5. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell's injury and suspension issues prevented him from ranking higher. There isn't a more versatile top back in the league. Bell possesses both power and speed. He is patient. He picks up blitzes. He regularly detaches from the formation to run routes typically associated with wide receivers. He jukes linebackers both as a ball carrier and as a receiver. Bell has lined up outside the backfield on 17.1 percent of his plays this season, about three times as many as Elliott.
6. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson is the first player since Edgerrin James in 2005 to produce at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the first 12 games to start a season. Johnson can do many of the same things we see from Bell, and it shows in where he lines up: outside the backfield 18.6 percent of the time. Johnson is not as proficient as Bell in pass protection, but that might be the only area where he needs work. How confident are the Cardinals in Johnson? They gave him the ball Sunday on fourth-and-1 from their own 34 with 3:47 left in a game Arizona was leading by a point. Johnson picked up 14 yards.
7. Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
9. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
11. C.J. Mosley, LB, Baltimore Ravens
12. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
13. Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
15. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
16. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona Cardinals
18. Jadeveon Clowney, DL, Houston Texans
19. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
20. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings
21. Joey Bosa, DL, San Diego Chargers
22. Landon Collins, S, New York Giants
23. Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
24. Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
25. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
NFL evaluators did not think Wentz had the consistent production to belong on this list above players such as Jordan Howard, among others, but there are mitigating circumstances. The Eagles' line has suffered without right tackle Lane Johnson. There is no true No. 1 running back on the team. Injuries have slowed top receiver Jordan Matthews. Nelson Agholor isn't even part of the regular rotation. And the schedule has been unrelenting.
Honorable mention: Anthony Barr, Jordan Hicks, Todd Gurley, Malcom Brown, Brandon Scherff, Jack Conklin, Danielle Hunter, Frank Clark, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Vic Beasley Jr., Shane Ray, Eric Kendricks, Ali Marpet, Trai Turner, Davante Adams, Jalen Ramsey, Tevin Coleman, Kenny Stills, Jay Ajayi, Jordan Howard, Deone Bucannon, Kwon Alexander, Eric Reid, Byron Jones.
