Best NFL player born the same year as you
Going all the way back to 1907, we have chronicled the best NFL player born each year since. Whether you want to torture yourself for not living up to the greatness of an NFL player or you want a champion for your age, this list has something for everybody.
1997: Saquon Barkley
Though he was just drafted in 2018, the running back from Penn State was selected No. 2 overall by the New York Giants and has more buzz than any back drafted in the past decade. Given what Barkley did during his collegiate career, it's no wonder expectations are sky high.
1996: Marshon Lattimore
The cornerback from Ohio State was drafted No. 11 overall by the New Orleans Saints and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award following a season with 52 tackles, five interceptions and one touchdown return.
1995: Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliot led the league in rushing during his rookie season and managed an impressive 2017 despite missing six games. He has 2,614 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in his short but promising career.
1994: Todd Gurley
Gurley won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015 despite only playing 13 games after rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 scores. In 2017, he led the league in rushing touchdowns and was the AP Offensive Player of the Year.
1993: Allen Robinson
Robinson had a complete breakout in his sophomore season with the Jags with 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has the potential to be a top wideout for years to come and is now in Chicago after injury ended his 2017 season in Week 1.
1992: Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham became a household name in his rookie season following a spectacular one-handed catch, and his legend has only grown since then. He has 313 receptions for 4,424 yards and 38 scores in four seasons, though he is hoping to return from an injury-plagued 2017.
1991: Luke Kuechly
Kuechly has been named All-Pro in four of his six seasons and has annually ranked among the league leaders in tackles for Carolina. The middle linebacker is well on track to a Hall of Fame career.
1990: Patrick Peterson
An elite cornerback and punt returner for the Cardinals, Peterson has made the Pro Bowl in each season of his seven-year career and been named All-Pro three times. He has 21 career interceptions.
1989: J.J. Watt
Watt has led the league in sacks twice in his seven seasons and won AP Defensive Player of the Year three times. Incredibly, Watt already has 76 sacks for his career but has been plagued by season-ending injury the past two years.
1988: Russell Wilson
Only six seasons into his career, Wilson has led the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances, winning one, and has a 65-30-1 record as a starter. The four-time Pro Bowler had a league-best 110.1 passer rating in 2015 and led the league in passing touchdowns in 2017.
1987: Ndamukong Suh
Suh has been an elite defensive lineman since he was drafted by the Lions in 2010. With 51.5 career sacks, he's been named All-Pro three times and made five Pro Bowls in eight seasons.
1986: Jamaal Charles
Sometimes overlooked, Charles has put together an elite career at running back for the Chiefs. Last playing for Denver, the free agent averaged an incredible 5.4 yards per carry and has eclipsed 10,000 yards from scrimmage for his career.
1985: Adrian Peterson
Peterson has been an elite running back since he arrived to the NFL in 2007. He's made seven Pro Bowls and won one MVP Award, rushing for 2,097 yards in 2012. Though his career has waned in the last two years, he is hoping to catch on with a new team.
1984: Joe Thomas
Thomas put together a first-ballot Hall of Fame career, making the Pro Bowl in all of his 10 seasons with Cleveland save the last which ended in injury. The seven-time All-Pro decided to retire after playing a record 10,363 consecutive snaps.
1983: Aaron Rodgers
In 13 seasons with Green Bay, Rodgers has won two MVP Awards and one Super Bowl. The six-time Pro Bowl quarterback is hoping to return from an injury-plagued season for a lot more time on the field.
1982: Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben has made six Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls, and he continues to put up huge numbers when he's on the field. The Steelers quarterback has over 51,000 career passing yards and 329 touchdowns.
1981: Eli Manning
Manning has won two Super Bowls with the Giants, and he's hoping to have a bounce-back year with the return of Odell Beckham Jr. He has more than 51,000 passing yards in 14 seasons, making four Pro Bowls.
1980: Antonio Gates
Gates is in the conversation alongside Tony Gonzalez as the best tight end ever. He may play one more season for the Chargers and has 927 receptions for 11,508 yards and 114 touchdowns in his career.
1979: LaDainian Tomlinson
Tomlinson played 11 seasons between the Chargers and Jets, leading the league in rushing twice. He rushed for 13,684 yards over his career, won one MVP, made five Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
1978: Ed Reed
A feared safety and ball hawk during his 12-year career, Reed had 64 career interceptions and made nine Pro Bowls.
1977: Tom Brady
Brady is still going strong at age 40 and looks to have a few years more. The three-time MVP has won five Super Bowls and passed for more than 66,000 yards, and some consider him the greatest of all time.
1976: Peyton Manning
In the conversation as the best quarterback ever, Manning retired a Super Bowl champion after the 2015 season. He won five MVP Awards and broke the single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns in 2013. Manning made 14 Pro Bowls during his 17-year career.
1975: Ray Lewis
Lewis set the standard at middle linebacker during his 17-year career, playing for the Ravens. He made 13 Pro Bowls, won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and is slated for the Hall of Fame in 2018.
1974: Jonathan Ogden
Ogden played 12 seasons with the Ravens at left tackle and made the Pro Bowl in 11 of those seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame after his career ended.
1973: Marshall Faulk
Faulk had an incredible 12-year career with the Colts and Rams, winning one MVP. He rushed for 12,279 yards and added 6,875 receiving yards, making the Pro Bowl seven times and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1972: Marvin Harrison
Harrison made quite a duo with Peyton Manning for the Colts. He played 13 seasons in Indy, finishing with 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards. He made eight Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
1971: Kurt Warner
Perhaps the greatest story in NFL history, Warner went from stocking grocery shelves to becoming a two-time MVP and Super Bowl winner. The Hall of Fame quarterback passed for more than 32,000 yards and 208 touchdowns during his career.
1970: Willie Roaf
A dominant left tackle in 13 seasons with the Saints and Chiefs, Roaf made the Pro Bowl 11 times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame following his career.
1969: Brett Favre
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, Favre played 20 years in the league and had nearly 72,000 passing yards. Favre won one Super Bowl and made 11 Pro Bowls.
1968: Barry Sanders
Sanders surprisingly retired after only 10 seasons, or he might have had the most impressive football career ever. He led the NFL in rushing yards four times, rushing for 2,053 yards in 1997. He made the Pro Bowl in every season of his Hall of Fame career.
1967: Deion Sanders
Sanders retired as one of the greatest cornerbacks ever, making eight Pro Bowls in 14 seasons. He had 53 career interceptions and was also a great punt returner, which all contributed to a Hall of Fame induction.
1966: Troy Aikman
Aikman won three Super Bowls during his 12 seasons in Dallas, throwing for nearly 33,000 yards and 165 touchdowns. He's a Hall of Famer and is now a broadcaster on Fox.
1965: Rod Woodson
One of the greatest defensive backs ever, Woodson played 17 seasons between four teams. He's remembered best for his 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, and the Hall of Famer made 11 Pro Bowls over his career.
1964: Charles Haley
A fierce pass rusher, Haley played 13 seasons between San Francisco and Dallas and won five Super Bowls. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1963: Bruce Smith
Smith played 19 seasons at defensive end between Buffalo and Washington, finishing with exactly 200 sacks. The Hall of Famer made 11 Pro Bowls during his career.
1962: Jerry Rice
Widely considered the greatest wide receiver ever, Rice led the league in receiving six times. The GOAT played 20 seasons, finishing his Hall of Fame career with 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 receiving touchdowns.
1961: Reggie White
The top defensive lineman of his era, White had 198 career sacks over 16 seasons. He made 13 Pro Bowls during his Hall of Fame career.
1960: John Elway
Elway made nine Pro Bowls and passed for more than 51,000 yards during his 16-year career with the Broncos. The Hall of Fame quarterback finished his career with 300 passing touchdowns and 33 more touchdowns on the ground.
1959: Lawrence Taylor
One of the most feared players in league history, Taylor had 132.5 career sacks over 13 seasons with the Giants. He won one MVP, made 10 Pro Bowls and is a Hall of Famer.
1958: Anthony Munoz
Arguably the best offensive lineman ever, Munoz played left tackle in 13 seasons with the Bengals. He made 11 Pro Bowls during his career and is a member of the Hall of Fame.
1957: Kellen Winslow
Winslow helped change the tight end position, leading the league in receptions twice and finishing his nine-year Chargers career with 6,741 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns. He made the Hall of Fame after five Pro Bowl appearances.
1956: Joe Montana
A four-time Super Bowl winner with the 49ers, Montana owns two MVP Awards and made the Pro Bowl eight times. The Hall of Famer passed for more than 40,000 yards and 273 touchdowns over his 15-year career.
1955: Earl Campbell
Campbell had a relatively brief NFL career, only playing eight seasons. He led the league in rushing in each of his first three seasons, peaking in 1980 with 1,934 yards for the Oilers. He made five Pro Bowls during his Hall of Fame career.
1954: Walter Payton
One of the top running backs of all time, Payton played 13 seasons with the Bears. He finished his career with 16,726 rushing yards and 110 rushing touchdowns, adding 4,538 yards as a receiver. He made nine Pro Bowls, won one MVP Award and cemented a deserving spot in the Hall of Fame.
1953: Randy White
White played 14 seasons in Dallas, making the Pro Bowl nine times at defensive tackle and ultimately getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1952: Jack Lambert
Lambert played 11 seasons in Pittsburgh at linebacker, making nine Pro Bowls and the Hall of Fame following has career.
1951: John Hannah
Hannah played 13 seasons at guard for the Patriots, making the Pro Bowl nine times before his Hall of Fame induction.
1950: Franco Harris
A nine-time Pro Bowler with the Steelers, Harris played 13 seasons and rushed for more than 1,000 yards eight times. He won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1949: John Riggins
Riggins had a 15-year career at running back with the Redskins, rushing for more than 1,000 yards five times. He led the league in rushing touchdowns twice and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1948: Mel Blount
Blount played 14 seasons at cornerback for the Steelers, making five Pro Bowls and being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He led the league in interceptions in 1975 with 11.
1947: O.J. Simpson
Simpson's life after football is widely known, but he is one of the best running backs in the history of the game. Over 11 seasons between Buffalo and San Francisco, he led the league in rushing four times and rushed for 2,003 yards in 1973. He made the Pro Bowl six times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1946: Joe Greene
"Mean" Joe Greene played 13 seasons with the Steelers and is considered one of the best defensive players ever. He made 10 Pro Bowls and won four Super Bowls with the Steelers before his induction into the Hall of Fame.
1945: Alan Page
Page had a long career at defensive tackle between the Vikings and Bears, playing 15 seasons. He won one MVP, made nine Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1944: Ken Houston
A defensive back for the Oilers and Redskins, Houston made the Pro Bowl 12 times over his 14 seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1943: Gale Sayers
Sayers had a brief career that spanned only seven seasons. Over that time as the Bears' lead running back, he led the league in rushing twice and made four Pro Bowls before his induction into the Hall of Fame.
1942: Dick Butkus
Arguably the greatest linebacker in football history, Butkus played nine NFL seasons with the Bears and made the Pro Bowl in eight of those years. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1941: John Mackey
Mackey played 10 seasons at tight end, mostly with Baltimore, and finished his career with 5,236 receiving yards. He made the Pro Bowl five times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1940: Merlin Olsen
Olsen played 15 seasons for the Rams, making an astonishing 14 Pro Bowls at defensive tackle before his induction into the Hall of Fame.
1939: Bob Lilly
A defensive tackle for the Cowboys over 14 seasons, Lilly made 11 Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1938: Deacon Jones
Jones played defensive end before sacks were a recorded stat but is still known as one of the best pass rushers ever. He played 14 seasons, mostly with the Rams, making eight Pro Bowls and the Hall of Fame.
1937: Dick Lebeau
Best known now as a defensive coordinator, Lebeau played 14 NFL season at cornerback for the Lions. He made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1936: Jim Brown
Brown played only nine seasons but is arguably the best running back to ever play football. He led the league in rushing eight times during his career, finishing with 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns. He also won MVP three times and is an obvious member of the Hall of Fame.
1935: Jim Taylor
Taylor rushed for more than 1,000 yards five times during his 10-year career and led the league with 1,474 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in 1962. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame following his career.
1934: Jim Parker
Parker was a pillar on the Colts' offensive line for 11 seasons, making All-Pro eight times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1933: Johnny Unitas
Unitas played 18 seasons, 17 with the Colts. He led the league in passing four times, won three MVPs, one Super Bowl and went to 10 Pro Bowls before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1932: Joe Schmidt
Schmidt played 13 seasons for the Lions at linebacker, making 10 Pro Bowls and the Hall of Fame.
1931: Jim Ringo
Ringo played 15 seasons in the NFL at center for the Packers and Eagles. He made 10 Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after his distinguished career.
1930: Ollie Matson
Matson played running back over 14 seasons, rushing for 5,173 yards for his career. He made the Pro Bowl six times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1929: Bill George
George (left) played 15 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Bears, and made eight Pro Bowls at linebacker. He's a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
1928: Night Train Lane
A 14-year veteran, Lane had 14 interceptions in his rookie season and finished his career with 68 picks. He played for the Rams, Cardinals and Lions, making the Pro Bowl seven times before being inducted into the Hall of Fame. (Editor's Note: Dick Lane's date of birth is listed as April 16, 1927, and April 16, 1928, in multiple sources, but according to his Pro Football Hall of Fame profile, his official DOB is 1928.)
1927: Gino Marchetti
Marchetti played 14 seasons, mostly with the Baltimore Colts. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler at defensive end and inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1926: Y.A. Tittle
Tittle played 17 seasons for the Colts, 49ers and Giants. He threw for 242 touchdowns over his career, made seven Pro Bowls and won the MVP Award before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1925: Chuck Bednarik
A linebacker and center for the Eagles over 14 seasons, Bednarik made eight Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1924: Leo Nomellini
Nomellini played 14 seasons for the 49ers, making 10 Pro Bowls at defensive tackle. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1923: Elroy Hirsch
Hirsch played 12 seasons in the NFL, with a career that was highlighted by his 1951 season with the Rams. He led the league with 66 receptions for 1,495 yards and 17 touchdowns and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1922: Charley Trippi
A two-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer for the Chicago Cardinals, Trippi rushed for more than 3,500 yards over his career. (Editor's Note: Trippi's date of birth is listed as Dec. 14, 1921, and Dec. 12, 1922, in multiple places, though his official DOB is 1922 according to his alma mater, the University of Georgia.)
1921: Otto Graham
Graham is still perhaps the greatest quarterback in Browns history, leading the league in passing yards five times in his 10-year career. He made five Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1920: Steve Van Buren
Van Buren played only eight seasons in the league, but he was highly productive during those years. The Hall of Famer led the league in rushing four times.
1919: Bulldog Turner
Turner played center over 13 seasons for the Bears, making four Pro Bowls and later being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1918: George McAfee
A prominent running back for the Bears, McAfee made the Pro Bowl in 1941 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after rushing for 1,685 yards and adding 1,359 receiving yards during his career.
1917: Whizzer White
White played three seasons in the NFL, suiting up for Pittsburgh and Detroit. He led the NFL in rushing yards during two of his three seasons.
1916: Sid Luckman
Luckman played 12 seasons at quarterback for the Bears, leading the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns three times. He made the Pro Bowl three times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1915: Alex Wojciechowicz
Wojciechowicz played center, defensive end and linebacker during his career between Philadelphia and Detroit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame after his 13-year career.
1914: Sammy Baugh
Baugh made the Pro Bowl six times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a 16-year career. He led the NFL in passing yards four times.
1913: Don Hutson
Hutson played 11 seasons for the Packers and was an All-Pro receiver in his last eight seasons. He led the league in receptions eight times and receiving yards seven times.
1912: Joe Stydahar
A Hall of Famer and four-time Pro Bowler for the Bears over 11 seasons, Stydahar played offensive tackle in the NFL.
1911: Sid Gillman
Gillman is now better known as a coach than player. He was the first coach of the Chargers but played one season in the NFL for the Cleveland Rams.
1910: Arnie Herber
A Hall of Fame offensive powerhouse, Herber played 16 seasons in the NFL between Green Bay and the Giants. He led the league in passing three times.
1909: Mel Hein
Hein played center in 15 seasons for the Giants, making the Pro Bowl four times. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
1908: Bronko Nagurski
A Hall of Famer, Nagurski was an All-Pro running back for the Bears. He made the Hall of Fame after making All-NFL four times and rushing for 2,778 yards over his career.
1907: Turk Edwards
Edwards played nine seasons at tackle in the NFL for Boston and Washington, starting 77 games. He was All-NFL three times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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