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Age is just a number—unless a professional athlete's career is being discussed. Younger is always better.

Youth is a valuable asset in the NFL, especially with the rookie wage scale in place. If a young man is producing at a high level during his initial contract, his organization will benefit from the below-market deal and can then invest in other areas of the roster before working on a second contract.

As a result, the NFL's middle class has been downsized, with organizations banking on their high-profile veterans while trying to add talented yet inexpensive pieces via the draft.

The league continues to thrive with the spotlight on its breakout stars. A surging throng can be found among the young men who seamlessly transitioned from the collegiate to professional ranks. Some of football's best players have yet to reach their fourth campaign.

Twenty-five in particular stand out as the NFL's best and brightest. To identify the league's top young players, one caveat was applied: All of the individuals must be younger than 25 years old at the onset of the 2017 campaign.

Dominant players such as the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell and Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman aged out of this category. Others such as DeAndre Hopkins, Tyrann Mathieu and Vic Beasley just missed the cut, because they turn 25 years old at some point in the next few months.

Still, football's future is bright with the following top performers, who are ready to take over the NFL.