National Football League (NFL) 2020s Future Half-Decade Team: Will Patrick Mahomes Be QB1 For The Next 5 Years?
Posted on Jul. 10, 2025, at 11:18 a.m. ET
Ben Arthur, NFL Reporter
As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL season, we can start to identify the players likely to stand out at their respective positions. But what about the best players for the seasons 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029? In this article, we are predicting who will be on the NFL 2020s future half-decade team, showcasing a blend of current stars, emerging talents, and even some players who may not be household names just yet. Take Ja’Marr Chase, for instance, who made our list despite being drafted only in 2021.
The future half-decade team is designed similarly to the Associated Press All-Pro teams, which are announced each season. Our lineup comprises 12 offensive players (including three wide receivers), 12 defenders (three inside linebackers), and six special teams players (place kicker, punter, kick returner, punt returner, core special teams player, long snapper). Since 2025 rookies have yet to step onto an NFL field, they are not eligible for selection in this exercise.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Entering his 30s, Mahomes is set to join the ranks of the greatest quarterbacks, many of whom have performed at their peak during this decade. While Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are yet to prove themselves against Mahomes in crucial playoff scenarios, Joe Burrow may lack the necessary support from his team as we move towards the late 2020s. Although Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels has shown promise with his remarkable rookie year, he has only played one NFL season.
Running back: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson edges out the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs. With the Falcons still working on their quarterback situation (Michael Penix Jr. is unproven) and lacking depth in high-end wide receiver talent, Robinson is expected to shoulder a heavier workload. Unlike Gibbs, he doesn’t have to share carries with a Pro Bowl-caliber running back like David Montgomery.
Fullback: Alec Ingold, Miami Dolphins
Star fullbacks like Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick Ricard are still contributing at an elite level in their 30s. With a Pro Bowl appearance to his name, Ingold, who turns 29 on Wednesday, is set to thrive in the Dolphins’ West Coast offense that emphasizes the run game.
Wide receivers: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings; Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Jefferson is arguably the top receiver in the NFL today. His approach relies more on skill and football IQ rather than sheer athleticism, which suggests he can maintain a high level of play well into the coming years (2029 will mark his age-30 season). Meanwhile, Thomas, at just 22, finished third in receiving yards last season as a rookie, indicating potential for exponential growth. Nabers, also from LSU, showcased over 1,200 receiving yards during his first year, despite missing two games, and is on a trajectory to become the Giants’ top receiver as their quarterback situation improves.
Tight end: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Bowers is on a path to stardom after leading all tight ends as a rookie in 2024 with standout stats: 557 routes run, 153 targets, 112 receptions, 1,194 receiving yards, and 611 yards after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats. He’ll benefit from more reliable quarterback play moving forward with Geno Smith.
Left tackle: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 26-year-old Wirfs is already in the conversation as the best left tackle in the league, having been selected as a first-team All-Pro by both the AP and NFLPA last season. He is poised to hit his prime over the next half-decade, allowing only a 4.7% pressure rate over the last five years—the best among qualified offensive tackles, per Next Gen Stats.
Left guard: Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
At 24, Smith has already received a second-team AP All-Pro nod and made two Pro Bowls in the last two seasons, positioning himself to be the Cowboys’ next great guard in the wake of Zack Martin’s retirement.
Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
Humphrey, a first-team All-Pro selection last season, is already discussed as the league’s best center. His best years are still ahead, as he won’t turn 30 until the 2029 season. Since starting in 2021, he has not missed a game and has led all qualified centers in run-block grading three times, with a remarkable 3.3% pressure rate allowed over the past half-decade, leading all centers according to NGS.
Right guard: Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
While the Broncos’ Quinn Meinerz is a viable choice, the 28-year-old Lindstrom has a more established track record, boasting a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro selection for three consecutive years. Among qualified guards, he had the NFL’s top run-blocking grade in both 2022 and last season according to Pro Football Focus.
Right tackle: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Sewell currently holds the title of the best right tackle in football and will still be in his 20s by the end of the 2029 season. He has consistently ranked among the top two in run-block grade for two consecutive seasons as a two-time first-team All-Pro.
DEFENSE
Edge rushers: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys; Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Before his injury last season, Hutchinson was playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level. His career average of 3.1 pressures per game ranks first among all edge rushers since the beginning of the decade. Meanwhile, Parsons, at 26, has achieved at least 12 sacks in each of his first four seasons with the Cowboys, with even better performances anticipated.
Interior linemen: Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Carter’s dominance helped propel the Eagles toward Super Bowl LIX, showcasing the talent of the former No. 9 overall pick. slotvip ph Last season, he earned recognition as a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro. Williams, aged 27, is just beginning to hit his prime, having secured 23. vip777 bet app5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss, and 66 quarterback hits over the last three seasons as a three-time Pro Bowler. ph fun slot
Linebackers: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers; Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions; Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers
With 131 tackles last season, Campbell and Cooper, who made a significant impact as a rookie, are rising stars in this position. Warner, turning 29 this season, is already a well-established star, joining the ranks of linebackers like Ray Lewis and Bobby Wagner, who played effectively into their 30s.
Cornerbacks: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Surtain, a two-time first-team All-Pro and the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, won’t turn 30 until 2030, making him a straightforward choice. Stingley, only 24, is coming off his best season yet as a first-team All-Pro and has the potential to continue his upward trajectory, provided he stays healthy.
Slot cornerback: Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
McDuffie, who also performs well on the outside, is expected to remain one of the league’s premier nickelbacks in the coming years. He has been recognized as an AP All-Pro for two consecutive seasons. parcel tracking tiktok
Safeties: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens; Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
At just 24 years old, Hamilton is already playing at an elite level and has room for growth as he enters Year 4, boasting consecutive AP All-Pro selections. Joseph, also 24, is on the brink of superstardom, leading the league last season in interceptions, passer rating allowed, and coverage EPA among qualified defensive backs according to Next Gen Stats.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
During his first NFL season in 2023, Aubrey led the league in field goals made with 36 and was honored as a first-team All-Pro. Last season, he followed up by kicking a league-best 65-yard field goal. At 30, he is in a position where kickers typically remain effective into their late 30s.
Punter: Jack Fox, Detroit Lions
Fox earned his first-team All-Pro recognition last season and holds the league’s best career average at 48.8 yards per punt. At 28 years old, he has plenty of elite performances ahead of him in a position known for longevity.
Kick returner: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
As the NFL’s top kick returner last season, Turpin led the league in kick return yards with 901, scoring one touchdown and averaging 33.5 yards per return. At 28, he has only played three NFL seasons, suggesting less wear and tear on his body.
Punt returner: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Mims, aged 23, has quickly transitioned from Pro Bowler to first-team All-Pro returner in just two seasons, showcasing immense potential for further development.
Special teams player: Brenden Schooler, New England Patriots
Schooler, 28, is coming off his first Pro Bowl selection and is also recognized as a first-team All-Pro.
Long snapper: Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars
Matiscik, 28, has been a Pro Bowler and an AP All-Pro honoree for two consecutive years.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports, and previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, serving as a Titans beat writer for one and a half years. He also covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) before moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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