:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48992577/usa-today-8995273.0.jpg)
The St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, as it has been for the past three seasons, are the youngest team in the NFL. A month ago, the average age of all the Rams’ players was 26.05. And that was prior to the release of three of their six oldest veterans. Cutting Chris Long [30], James Laurinaitis [29], and Jared Cook [28] makes them that much younger.
Over at NFL.com, NFL Media Analyst Elliot Harrison whipped up an All Under-25 NFL team. Two Rams made the list. One will come as no surprise. The other...just maybe.
Todd Gurley, Running Back
Considering he only started 12 games, it's remarkable what Gurley was able to accomplish in his rookie season. The Offensive Rookie of the Year racked up 1,106 rushing yards, third-most in the NFL, while also posting a sterling 4.8 yards per carry. He's like the love child of Eddie George and Eric Dickerson.
Rob Havenstein, Offensive Tackle
Havenstein protected Rams quarterbacks well enough that they could deliver the ball last season (not that they delivered it accurately or anything). Though he's not a beast in the run game, Havenstein is a young developing player who started 13 games on Jeff Fisher's offense, helping Todd Gurley thrive as a rookie.
The Gurley selection speaks for itself. The NFL’s 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner finished the season ranked third in the league with 1,106 rushing yards, with ten touchdowns, in what was essentially 12 games. Havenstein, to many, will probably look to be a sleeper pick. But that’s not as a result of his on-field play. Havenstein stepped in and performed admirably for the Rams in 2015, and was the only right tackle in the NFL to not allow a sack in 12+ games.
Before you get all bent out of shape with the "Where’s Aaron Donald?" stuff, Harrison clarified:
We've been doing this for several years now, and we always keep this prestigious list to players who will be 24 or younger as of the first day of the upcoming season. If someone turns 25 on the day of the Kickoff Game, they're too old!
Sorry, Mr. Donald, but your May 23rd birthday precludes you from making this list. You’ll just have to be one of the best players in the NFL on the Over-25 team, should there ever be one. Until then, we hope you enjoy your annual trips to the Pro Bowl.