NFL
Ranking Youngest NFL Players in 2024
The NFL is experiencing a remarkable shift toward youthfulness, with an increasing number of young athletes making their mark in one of the most demanding professional sports leagues. This trend reflects a combination of evolving scouting methods, advanced player development systems, and a growing emphasis on athleticism and versatility. However, the transition to competing at the highest level of football is far from seamless. Young players face immense pressure to adapt quickly, both physically and mentally, while navigating the rigorous expectations of professional football.
Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Curtis Martin//Getty Images
The 2024 NFL season showcases an influx of exceptional young talent making waves across the league. Leading the ranking is Braelon Allen, a 20-year-old running back for the Jets, celebrated for setting historic scoring records. Following closely is Audric Estime, a 20-year-old running back for the Broncos, whose power and agility anchor Denver’s rushing attack.
Defensively, Nate Wiggins, 21, shines as a rising star, while Cam Little, a 21-year-old kicker for the Jaguars, impresses with his unmatched precision. Wide receivers Malik Nabers (21, Giants) and Keon Coleman (21, Bills) provide reliable targets and game-changing plays, while Trey Benson, 21, delivers consistent performances in the backfield.
Rounding out the list are versatile defenders like Calen Bullock (21, Texans) and Mekhi Wingo (21, Lions), both enhancing their teams’ defensive fronts. Xavier Worthy, 21, brings electrifying speed to Kansas City’s offense. Together, these young players exemplify the NFL’s embrace of emerging talent and its promising future.
Methodology
The rankings are determined using the following criteria:
Age (100%): Rankings are purely based on the player’s age, with the youngest player ranked highest.
Sources Used:
Critical Consensus: Ranking the Youngest NFL Players
The 2024 NFL season highlights young stars like Braelon Allen (20, Jets) and Audric Estime (20, Broncos) leading the rankings with standout performances. Other top talents, including Nate Wiggins (21, Ravens) and Malik Nabers (21, Giants), excel across positions, showcasing the league’s promising future. Emerging players like Keon Coleman, Calen Bullock, and Mekhi Wingo add depth to their teams.
Critical Consensus Table
| Rank | Player | Age | Position | Team | Sporting News Rank | USA Today Rank |
| 1 | Braelon Allen | 20 years, 225 days | RB | Jets | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Audric Estime | 20 years, 360 days | RB | Broncos | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Nate Wiggins | 21 years, 4 days | CB | Ravens | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Cam Little | 21 years, 15 days | K | Jaguars | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Malik Nabers | 21 years, 35 days | WR | Giants | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Trey Benson | 21 years, 42 days | RB | Cardinals | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Keon Coleman | 21 years, 107 days | WR | Bills | 10 | 7 |
| 8 | Calen Bullock | 21 years, 124 days | S | Texans | 11 | 8 |
| 9 | Xavier Worthy | 21 years, 127 days | WR | Chiefs | 12 | 9 |
| 10 | Mekhi Wingo | 21 years, 137 days | DT | Lions | N/A | 10 |
SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Youngest NFL Players
The 2024 NFL season highlights a group of young talents, ranked by age and their impressive MetaScale scores. Leading the list is Braelon Allen (20, Jets) with a perfect score of 100, followed by Audric Estime (20, Broncos) at 95. Other standout players include Nate Wiggins (21, Ravens) with a score of 90, and Cam Little (21, Jaguars) with 89, showing exceptional potential across various positions.
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
| Rank | Player | Age (Youngest = Highest Rank) | Position | Team | MetaScale Score |
| 1 | Braelon Allen | 20 years, 225 days | RB | Jets | 100 |
| 2 | Audric Estime | 20 years, 360 days | RB | Broncos | 95 |
| 3 | Nate Wiggins | 21 years, 4 days | CB | Ravens | 90 |
| 4 | Cam Little | 21 years, 15 days | K | Jaguars | 89 |
| 5 | Malik Nabers | 21 years, 35 days | WR | Giants | 88 |
| 6 | Trey Benson | 21 years, 42 days | RB | Cardinals | 87 |
| 7 | Keon Coleman | 21 years, 107 days | WR | Bills | 85 |
| 8 | Calen Bullock | 21 years, 124 days | S | Texans | 83 |
| 9 | Xavier Worthy | 21 years, 127 days | WR | Chiefs | 82 |
| 10 | Mekhi Wingo | 21 years, 137 days | DT | Lions | 81 |
The 2024 NFL season features a remarkable group of young talents making significant impacts across the league. Here's an overview of each player:
Nate Wiggins//Getty Images
1. Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen, 20, a running back for the New York Jets, has quickly made a name for himself with his powerful running style, impressive speed, and vision. After a standout college career at Wisconsin, he transitioned smoothly to the NFL, where his dynamic ability to break tackles and gain yardage has been crucial for the Jets’ offense. Allen has shown he can be a game-changer, already impressing with his performances in the early stages of his career.
2. Audric Estime
Audric Estime, 20, plays running back for the Denver Broncos, where he has earned a reputation for his physicality and agility. Hailing from New Jersey, he is a powerful and physical running back who gained recognition at Notre Dame for his hard-charging style and ability to break tackles. His performances in college earned him a reputation as one of the top running back prospects, and the Broncos quickly snapped him up. His blend of size (over 230 lbs) and speed makes him an imposing force in the NFL. He is an effective between-the-tackles runner who poses a threat in the open field. Estime’s strong performances have helped establish him as a key part of the Broncos' rushing attack, and he’s expected to continue growing into a central figure in their offense.
3. Nate Wiggins
Nate Wiggins, 21, is a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens. Originally from Georgia, Wiggins is a talented cornerback who had a standout career at Clemson, excelling in man-to-man coverage and showing excellent ball skills. Known for his ability to read the quarterback, Wiggins has been a reliable presence in the Ravens' secondary. His ability to quickly adjust to different receivers and his knack for creating turnovers make him a critical part of the Ravens' defensive strategy. As a young player, Wiggins is already showing elite-level potential in his role. His development in the NFL has been swift, cementing his role as a future star.
Despite being just 21 years old, Nate Wiggins has already established himself as one of the NFL’s top young cornerbacks, with an almost 50% pass breakup rate when covering deep routes.
4. Cam Little
Cam Little, 21, is the placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Little, from Oklahoma, played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where his accuracy and clutch kicking earned him recognition as one of the top college kickers. He has demonstrated incredible consistency, especially in high-pressure situations, making him a key asset for the Jaguars’ special teams unit. Little’s accuracy on field goals and extra points has allowed him to excel, especially in tight games, and he has quickly gained trust from the coaching staff as one of the most dependable kickers in the league. Little's precise kicks and ability to remain calm under pressure have been instrumental for Jacksonville.
5. Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers, 21, a wide receiver for the New York Giants, has been a standout target for the team’s passing game. From New Orleans, Louisiana, he was one of LSU's top wide receivers, known for his excellent route running and ability to make tough catches. He has become a reliable weapon in the Giants’ offense, especially on third downs. He has been able to gain separation from defenders and make key catches, proving his worth in a highly competitive receiving corps. Nabers' ability to make plays after the catch and his toughness have made him a valuable player for the Giants.
6. Trey Benson
Trey Benson, 21, a running back for the Arizona Cardinals, has been showing his versatility in the backfield. His vision, speed, and ability to break tackles have made him a vital part of the Cardinals' offensive game plan. Benson's playmaking ability allows him to both carry the ball effectively and contribute as a receiving threat out of the backfield, providing a multifaceted approach for the Cardinals. His transition to the NFL has been seamless, and he is quickly becoming a key contributor to the Arizona Cardinals' running game.
7. Keon Coleman
Keon Coleman, 21, a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, has been showcasing his impressive athleticism and playmaking ability since his NFL debut. Known for his strong hands, speed, and ability to stretch the field, Coleman has quickly earned a reputation as a key playmaker for the Bills. His presence on the outside has given quarterback Josh Allen another explosive weapon in their high-powered offense. With the Buffalo Bills, Coleman has continued to showcase his deep threat capabilities, providing a solid option alongside Stefon Diggs.
8. Calen Bullock
Calen Bullock, 21, plays safety for the Houston Texans, and has quickly become a key contributor to their defense. Bullock, originally from Los Angeles, California, was a standout safety at USC, known for his ball-hawking abilities and leadership in the secondary. His ball-hawking ability, leadership, and ability to read the quarterback make him a force in the secondary. Bullock has shown excellent range, making plays all over the field and giving the Texans an essential weapon to disrupt opposing offenses. Bullock’s football IQ and versatility in coverage have made him a rising star in the NFL.
9. Xavier Worthy
This 21-year-old wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs is known for his blazing speed and deep-threat capability. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays downfield caught the eye of NFL scouts, and he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays has helped the Chiefs maintain their reputation as one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Worthy’s potential to make explosive plays has made him a valuable asset to the Chiefs' high-powered offense.
10. Mekhi Wingo
Mekhi Wingo, 21, is a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, whose strength and quickness off the ball allows him to consistently disrupt opposing offenses. Wingo’s ability to collapse the pocket and create pressure on the quarterback has made him a key part of the Lions’ defensive front, helping to elevate their pass rush and create more opportunities for turnovers. His ability to get after the quarterback and play the run effectively have quickly earned him a starting role in the NFL.
SportsBoom Suggests
- Braelon Allen stands as the youngest player in the NFL for 2024, showcasing immense promise at just 20 years old.
- Rising stars like Audric Estime and Nate Wiggins highlight the trend of younger players making an immediate impact.
- Teams like the Jets, Broncos, and Ravens are leading the way in investing in young talent.
The 2024 NFL season features some of the youngest talents ever seen, with players like Braelon Allen and Audric Estime already proving their worth on the field.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.