Best NFL player at every age

The NFL is a league known for short playing careers, but that isn't always the case. There are a few exceptions, with a few players playing into their 40s. So which players represent the very best at each age? I'm sure you can guess a few — ahem, 40-year-old Tom Brady — but others aren't so easy to discern.

The following features the best current NFL player at every age. Note: Ages are as of Week 1 of the 2017 season.

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21: Myles Garrett, DE, Browns

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The first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett left Texas A&M after his junior season. He hopes to flash his incredible athletic ability in his rookie season.

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22: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys

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Elliott led the NFL in carries, rushing yards and yards per game in his rookie season. He came just six yards short of 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

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23: Landon Collins, S, Giants

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Collins had a remarkable sophomore season for the Giants. The squad made drastic improvements on defense, with Collins leading the way as an All-Pro. He had 125 tackles, five interceptions and four sacks while playing strong safety.

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24: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants

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Beckham has become one of the premier wideouts in football through three seasons. He has at least 1,300 yards in each season and 35 career touchdowns.

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25: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers

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Bell would have been an MVP candidate in 2016 if not for missing four games. Despite the time he missed, Bell had 1,884 yards from scrimmage and nine scores.

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26: Khalil Mack, OLB, Raiders

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Mack has been a terrific pass rusher and All-Pro for the Raiders over the last two years. He has 26 sacks over that time and had 73 tackles in 2016.

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27: Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

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With Rob Gronkowski sidelined for much of 2016, Kelce emerged as the top tight end in the NFL. The reality TV star had 85 receptions for 1,125 yards and four scores for the Chiefs.

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28: Von Miller, OLB, Broncos

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The Super Bowl 50 MVP, Miller has made five Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro three times in six seasons. He had 13.5 sacks and 78 tackles last season.

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29: Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers

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Arguably the top wide receiver in football, Brown had 106 receptions for 1,284 yards and 12 scores in 15 games last season. He's been an All-Pro in three consecutive seasons and also contributes as a punt returner.

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30: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins

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Suh is one of the most intimidating players in football with the play to back it up. He's made five Pro Bowls in seven seasons and had another dominant year in 2016, recording 72 tackles and five sacks.

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31: Aqib Talib, CB, Broncos

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Talib remains one of the top cover corners in football into his 30s. He had 43 tackles, three picks and 12 passes defensed in 13 games last season. He was also named an All-Pro for the first time.

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32: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

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The reigning NFL MVP, Ryan passed for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns last season while being picked off only seven times. He came just short of completing 70 percent of his passes.

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33: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

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The two-time NFL MVP is still going strong at age 33. He led the league with 40 touchdown passes last season, adding 4,428 passing yards.

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34: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals

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Fitzgerald has caught more than 100 passes in consecutive seasons and led the league with 107 receptions last season. He added 1,023 receiving yards and six scores.

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35: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

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Big Ben has contemplated retirement recently, but he's still playing at a high level at age 35. Roethlisberger threw for 3,819 yards and 29/13 TD/INT in 14 games last season.

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36: Eli Manning, QB, Giants

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Manning's play fell off last year after a very good 2015 season, but he still threw for 4,027 yards and 26 touchdowns. The Giants added Brandon Marshall to his arsenal this year.

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37: Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals

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After throwing for a career-high 35 touchdowns in 2015, Palmer's stats declined as the Cardinals went 6-8-1 in his 15 starts. He still threw for 4,233 yards and 26 touchdowns but had 14 interceptions.

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38: Drew Brees, QB, Saints

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Brees hasn't shown much sign of age, leading the league in passing yards for the fifth time in six years last season. He threw for more than 5,000 yards for the fourth time in his career and had 37 touchdown passes.

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39: James Harrison, OLB, Steelers

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Harrison continues to show incredible longevity as he approaches age 40. He had 53 tackles and five sacks in 15 games last season.

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40: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

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Brady is coming off his fifth Super Bowl victory, likely solidifying his place as the best quarterback ever. He missed four regular-season games due to the Deflategate suspension but still threw for more than 3,500 yards and 28/2 TD/INT.

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41: Shane Lechler, P, Texans

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Lechler is still going strong in his 18th NFL season. He matched his career average of 47.5 yards per punt last season.

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42: Matt Bryant, K, Falcons

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Bryant has been very consistent for the Falcons over the last eight seasons, making more than 88 percent of his field goal attempts. He led the league in extra points and went 34-for-37 on field goals last season.

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44: Adam Vinatieri, K, Colts

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A future Hall of Fame kicker, Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl champion and known as the most clutch kicker in NFL history for his playoff heroics. He ranks third all time with 2,378 points scored.

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