Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is still one of the best. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The 30 best NFL players in their 30s

Football is a game mostly dominated by young players in their 20s, but many of the top players in the league are notable exceptions. Here's a look at the 30 best NFL players in their 30s heading into the 2020 season.

1 of 30

Calais Campbell, DE, Ravens

Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Campbell is one of the rare defensive linemen who has aged like a fine wine. He will be 34 before Week 1, and the new Raven has made three consecutive Pro Bowls, including two double-digit sack seasons in Jacksonville.

2 of 30

Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings

Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Cousins is a strong second-tier quarterback in the NFL, and his play has improved since moving from Washington to Minnesota. He had arguably his best season in 2019, making his second Pro Bowl while posting a 26/6 TD/INT ratio and winning a huge playoff game at New Orleans.

3 of 30

Lavonte David, LB, Buccaneers

Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

At age 30, David's play hasn't dropped off yet. The do-everything linebacker has only one Pro Bowl to his name, but he's recorded over 100 tackles in all but one of his eight NFL seasons.

4 of 30

Demario Davis, LB, Saints

Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

It's no coincidence that the Saints run defense improved markedly after Davis was added in 2018. He's posted over 100 tackles in consecutive seasons and was an All-Pro at age 30 last year, with 111 tackles, four sacks and 12 passes defensed.

5 of 30

Carlos Dunlap, DE, Bengals

Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Dunlap has been one of the more overlooked defensive linemen in the league for much of his 10-year career in Cincy. He has 81.5 career sacks, including nine sacks along with 63 tackles last season.

6 of 30

A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have hindered Green over the last two seasons, but the Bengals are hopeful he can bounce back at age 32 this season. He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in six of his first seven seasons.

7 of 30

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers

Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Gronk is set to come out of retirement to join the Bucs in 2020. He was arguably football's best tight end prior to retiring, with four All-Pro designations in nine seasons as a great receiver and elite blocker.

8 of 30

Casey Hayward, CB, Chargers

Mike Dinovo / USA Today Sports Images

Hayward has become one of the game's most consistent cornerbacks since joining the Chargers in 2016. He's made two Pro Bowls in four years and had a solid 2019 season at age 30.

9 of 30

Cameron Heyward, DL, Steelers

Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Heyward has been an overpowering defensive lineman for most of his career and has played his best football recently. He's on a streak of three consecutive Pro Bowls and has been an All-Pro in two of the last three seasons with a combined 29 sacks over that time. Heyward is entering his age 31 season.

10 of 30

Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens

Douglas DeFelice / USA Today Sports Images

Ingram made his third Pro Bowl in his first season with Baltimore, rushing for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 games for the league's top rushing offense. He has three 1,000 yard seasons over the last four years as he enters his age 31 season.

11 of 30

Melvin Ingram, DE, Chargers

Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Ingram has now made three consecutive Pro Bowls as he embarks on his age 31 season. Over eight seasons with the Chargers, Ingram has 49 sacks, including 24.5 sacks over the last three years.

12 of 30

Lane Johnson, RT, Eagles

Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Johnson is one of the league's most athletic and dominant offensive linemen, with three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. He's entering his age 30 season.

13 of 30

Chandler Jones, DE, Cardinals

Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Jones, who turned 30 in the offseason, has been an All-Pro in two of the last three seasons and has double-digit sacks in six of the last seven years. He recorded 19 sacks last year.

14 of 30

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons

Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Jones needs little introduction as one of the most explosive wideouts in the NFL. The 31-year-old has made six consecutive Pro Bowls and finished last season with 99 catches for 1,394 yards and six touchdowns.

15 of 30

Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints

Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Jordan was one of the Saints' most popular players, establishing quite a track record in nine seasons. He's made three consecutive Pro Bowls, finishing last season with a career-high 15.5 sacks at age 30.

16 of 30

Jason Kelce, OC, Eagles

Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Kelce's brother, Travis, gets most of the attention in this prodigious football family, but Jason could have a better Hall of Fame case at the moment. He's been an All-Pro in three consecutive seasons and has three Pro Bowls to his name over nine seasons in Philadelphia.

17 of 30

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

The gregarious Kelce has established himself as one of the elite tight ends in football over seven seasons. He's made five Pro Bowls and been an All-Pro twice, with four consecutive 1,000 yard seasons.

18 of 30

Von Miller, OLB, Broncos

Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Miller is one of the first pass rushers NFL fans think of because of his longevity and consistency, with eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons. He's hoping to rebound from a down age 30 season, when he recorded eight sacks in 15 games.

19 of 30

Patrick Peterson, CB, Cardinals

Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Peterson is coming off the worst year of his career at age 29, but hopes the transition to his 30s holds a brighter future. He made the Pro Bowl in his first eight seasons as a lockdown cornerback who also contributed as a returner.

20 of 30

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

Tim Fuller / USA Today Sports Images

Entering his age 37 season, Rodgers is still going strong in Green Bay. His accomplished career includes two MVPs, one Super Bowl and eight Pro Bowls. Rodgers had 4,002 yards passing and 26 touchdowns last year.

21 of 30

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Big Ben is coming back in 2020 after missing most of 2019 to an elbow injury. He led the league in passing during 2018 and is in his age 38 season.

22 of 30

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Ryan was the 2016 NFL MVP and has been a consistent producer over 12 seasons. He finished last year with 4,466 yards passing and 26 touchdowns at age 34.

23 of 30

Mitchell Schwartz, RT, Chiefs

Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Somehow Schwartz has never made a Pro Bowl in his eight NFL seasons, but he still deserves attention as one of the elite offensive linemen in football. The right tackle has never missed a start in his career and was an All-Pro in 2018.

24 of 30

Richard Sherman, CB, 49ers

Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Sherman reestablished himself as an elite cornerback for the 49ers last year, making his fifth career Pro Bowl. He also appeared in his third Super Bowl.

25 of 30

Harrison Smith, S, Vikings

Derick Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Smith is one of the anchors of Minnesota's excellent defense, making his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl in 2019. He had 85 tackles and three interceptions in 15 games at age 30.

26 of 30

Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings

Tim Fuller / USA Today Sports Images

Thielen is hoping to rebound in 2019 after he suffered through a nagging hamstring injury last year. He's made two Pro Bowls in his career and is the clear No. 1 receiver in Minnesota this year after the team traded Stefon Diggs.

27 of 30

Earl Thomas, S, Ravens

Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Thomas got back on track in his first season in Baltimore after missing most of 2018 due to a fractured leg. He made his seventh Pro Bowl in 2019.

28 of 30

Bobby Wagner, LB, Seahawks

Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Wagner has been one of the constants on Seattle's defense since 2012 and has been an All-Pro in five of the last six seasons. He had a league-leading 159 tackles last year and is entering his age 30 season.

29 of 30

J.J. Watt, DE, Texans

Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have nagged Watt over the last few years, but he remains elite when he's on the field. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year had four sacks in eight regular-season games last season.

30 of 30

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks

Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Wilson continues to be one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, making his sixth Pro Bowl last year and ending on the short list of Hall of Fame candidates. He's consistently been a winner, with a career 86-41-1 regular season record and two Super Bowl appearances in eight seasons. He turns 32 in November.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
NHL announces 2024 Hart Trophy finalists
Jimmy Butler's agent responds to Heat president's criticism of star client
Nuggets melt down under Timberwolves' pressure to go down 0-2
Watch: Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo makes, absorbs big shot to win Game 1
Bruins take series opener over Panthers in 5-1 rout
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama unanimously wins NBA Rookie of the Year award
Phillies remain MLB's hottest team with dominant Zack Wheeler performance
Heat president Pat Riley calls out Jimmy Butler twice following playoff exit
Brooks Koepka sets up epic clash with Scottie Scheffler at PGA Championship
How Tom Brady's investment in English soccer team cratered
Week 12 NASCAR power rankings: Kyle Larson distances himself with historic win
Ex-GM confident 49ers can avoid breaking the bank on Brock Purdy extension
Five most surprising breakout players in this MLB season
The most exciting offseason addition for every NFL team
Bengals exec declines Patriots interview for de facto GM job
Snoop Dogg to be title sponsor of college football bowl game
A's place struggling starter on injured list
Longtime Saints OL, three-time Pro Bowler agrees to deal with AFC West team
Report: 10-time All-Star 'wants to re-sign' with Clippers
Kendrick Perkins 'wishes' LeBron James would make drastic career decision

Want more NFL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.