In the high-pressure NFL, age is not just a number—it’s an expression of promising youth. The majority of new players join the league in their early twenties. However, some have broken records by doing so at seventeen and some at nineteen, virtually a teenager and a teenager, respectively.
Let’s walk through the tales of the youngest players ever drafted into the NFL, discovering their early pro lives, highlight moments, and how they changed the game forever.
Trailblazers of Youth in the NFL Draft This Season
Amobi Okoye—Defensive Tackle, Houston Texans (2007 NFL Draft)
Amobi Okoye holds the record for being the youngest NFL draft choice in history at 19 years and 10 months. Born in Nigeria, Okoye immigrated to the United States at age 12 and then accelerated academically. This started at the University of Louisville at age 15. His performance led to him being drafted 10th overall by the Houston Texans in 2007.
Okoye quickly became established, winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September 2007 after recording four sacks. After a promising beginning, his career was suspended by illness, such as fighting anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. This kept him out for the 2013 season. He tried to make a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 but did not play.
Tremaine Edmunds—Linebacker, Buffalo Bills (2018 NFL Draft)
Drafted 16th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2018, Tremaine Edmunds entered the league at 19 years and 11 months, the second-youngest draft pick in NFL history. The Virginia Tech star immediately broke out as an anchor of the Bills’ defense. He received a Pro Bowl vote in 2019 and 2020.
Edmunds on the field proved he could do several things with leadership and drew a hefty four-year, $72 million Chicago Bears deal in 2023. For his effort in 2024, Edmunds displayed playmaker skills. It was when he registered 16 stops in one contest, and on an interception, he brought it back 45 yards for a touchdown.
Elmer Angsman—Halfback, Chicago Cardinals (1946 NFL Draft)
Elmer Angsman was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1946 at 20 years and 1 month old. Angsman, a Notre Dame graduate, made headlines in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. It was when he ran for two 70-yard touchdown runs that secured the game for the Cardinals.
He was a key contributor to the team, topping 600 rushing yards in subsequent seasons and earning a second-team All-Pro selection in 1949. After retiring in 1952, Angsman embarked on a successful career as a football broadcaster.
Danielle Hunter—Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings (2015 NFL Draft)
In his 20th year and 6 months, Danielle Hunter was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in round three of the 2015 NFL Draft.
A one-time LSU grad, Hunter became a force to be reckoned with immediately at the defensive line and was awarded several Pro Bowl invitations. In 2024, Hunter signed on with the Houston Texans, still causing headaches for offenses across the board. Hunter’s strength and speed have made him one of the greatest pass rushers in the game.
Kyle Pitts—Tight End, Atlanta Falcons (2021 NFL Draft)
Kyle Pitts joined the NFL at 20 years and 6 months, the Atlanta Falcons’ fourth overall draft pick in 2021. The Florida University player was a quick contributor, the first rookie tight end in more than 60 years with 1,000 receiving yards.
Pitts’s unusual combination of size, speed, and hands has redefined the tight end role and made him the focal point of the Falcons’ offense. His initial success is a precursor to a bright future as he further develops into one of the best playmakers in the league.
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Their success inspires future sports legends and confirms that age, though a consideration, does not always dictate a person’s ability to be great. In embracing the youth, the NFL is not just investing in the game’s future but also honoring the phenomenal skills of its youngest icons.
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