When it comes to the NFL, we often hear about the veteran superstars, but let’s not forget the league’s newest and youngest talents! These rookies bring fresh energy to their teams, often being a bit lighter on the pocket due to the NFL’s rookie wage scale. Some of these players’ age is almost as impressive as their athletic abilities. Ready to meet the youngest players hitting the field in 2024? Let’s dive in!
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets | 20 Years, 3 Months
At just 20 years and three months, Braelon Allen is officially the youngest NFL player this season. Anyone would think Allen might be easing his way into the league at such a young age, but that’s not the case. Drafted by the New York Jets, Allen made history early in his career by becoming the youngest running back ever to score two touchdowns in a single game (one rushing, one receiving) in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.
Allen’s rise to the NFL wasn’t your typical journey. He reclassified in high school to enter college early, and by the time he hit the field at Wisconsin as a 17-year-old freshman, he was already making headlines. In his debut season, Allen rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging a jaw-dropping seven yards per carry. He followed up with another stellar season in 2022, adding another 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Even with a dip in production in his final collegiate year, Allen still accumulated nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Selected in the fourth round by the Jets, Allen’s future looks bright—especially learning alongside the NFL’s oldest active player, Aaron Rodgers. A future star in the making? Absolutely.
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Audric Estimé, RB, Denver Broncos | 20 Years, 7 Months
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Next is Audric Estimé, a powerful running back drafted by the Denver Broncos. At 20 years and seven months, Estimé is one of the youngest and most promising players entering the 2024 NFL season. His college career at Notre Dame didn’t start with a bang—he backed up Kyren Williams during his freshman season and only touched the ball a handful of times. But when Williams headed for the NFL, Estimé seized the opportunity.
By 2023, Estimé had blossomed into a dynamic force, rushing for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final year at Notre Dame. With an average of 6.4 yards per carry, Estimé made a strong case for himself as an NFL-caliber back, and the Denver Broncos didn’t hesitate to grab him in the fifth round of the draft. Although his NFL debut hasn’t been as electric yet (with just two carries for 14 yards and a fumble), Estimé’s physical gifts and work ethic point to a player who could soon take off.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants | 20 Years, 7 Months
Not far behind Estimé is Malik Nabers, an exciting wide receiver for the New York Giants. Like Estimé, Nabers is only 20 years and seven months old, but his athletic ability and resume scream superstar potential. Nabers was a four-star recruit known for his speed (he runs a 4.44 40-yard dash) and incredible vertical (38 inches), and he made an immediate impact at LSU.
In his freshman year, Nabers notched 28 catches for 417 yards and four touchdowns. But his real breakout came in 2022 when he became the Tigers’ clear WR1, putting up 1,017 receiving yards. He didn’t stop there—his 2023 campaign was legendary. Nabers broke LSU’s career receiving yardage record with 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, securing his place as one of the best wide receivers in LSU’s storied history.
The New York Giants snagged Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and so far, he’s been proving why. In just a few games, Nabers has tallied 15 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. Expect those numbers to skyrocket as the season progresses.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers | 20 Years, 9 Months
At 20 years and nine months, Jonathon Brooks brings a mix of youth and determination to the Carolina Panthers’ backfield. A standout at Texas, Brooks had the unenviable task of filling in for superstar Bijan Robinson after two years in a backup role. But Brooks proved more than capable, rushing for 1,139 yards and ten touchdowns in his breakout 2023 season.
Brooks caught 25 passes for 286 yards, but his season ended abruptly after he tore his ACL in November. Despite the injury, Brooks declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Panthers saw enough potential to select him as the first running back off the board in the second round. While his torn ACL may have raised concerns, Brooks is eager to prove his doubters wrong.
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Youngest NFL Players of All Time
As impressive as these 2024 rookies are, the NFL has seen some exceptionally young talent over the years. Here are the two youngest NFL players ever drafted in the history of the league.
Amobi Okoye, DT, Houston Texans | 19 Years, 10 Months
No one was younger than Amobi Okoye when he was drafted. At just 19 years and 10 months, Okoye was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. His journey is remarkable. After emigrating from Nigeria, Okoye accelerated through school and began attending college at 15 years old. He had a stellar four-year career at Louisville and entered the NFL Draft still as a teenager.
Okoye’s career started strong, earning Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in his first season. Though his career didn’t pan out as expected after four years with the Texans and a few short stints with other teams, Okoye’s impact as the youngest drafted player remains notable.
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills | 19 Years, 11 Months
A close second on the all-time list is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. At 19 years and 11 months, Edmunds was drafted 16th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2018. Known for his impressive collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he racked up 33 tackles for loss, Edmunds quickly made his mark in the NFL, becoming a starting linebacker for Buffalo right out of the gate. Edmunds’ career in Buffalo was stellar—he became a Pro Bowler twice and earned a massive $72 million contract with the Chicago Bears in 2023.
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