6 NFL Stars Who Are Somehow Younger Than Joe Burrrow

Joe Burrow has been an absolute treat to watch with LSU this year. The senior quarterback has obliterated passing records left and right with the Tigers, solidifying himself as one of the most exciting quarterback prospects in recent memory. But as a 23-year-old, he's squeezed as many years out of college football as he can, meaning there are plenty of stars in the NFL who are tearing it up despite being younger than him, so let's take a look at some of the most shocking ones.

6. Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith has been a standout piece of the Bears' fearsome defense. / Leon Halip/Getty Images

Roquan Smith has been up and down for the Chicago Bears on defense for two years now, which makes the fact he's 119 days younger than Burrow that much more unbelievable. It's truly a testament to his talent that he's already racked up 221 career total tackle while Burrow has yet to even play an NFL snap.

5. Nick Bosa

Nick Bosa has shined on the defensive side of the ball for the San Francisco 49ers. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

It's crazy to think that the second-overall pick in the 2019 draft is younger than the top quarterback prospect in the 2020 draft, but it's the truth. Bosa is just 22 years and 52 days old, and he already has eight sacks and 38 total tackles in his young NFL career. It just goes to show the vastly different routes Bosa and Burrow took through their college careers.

4. Tremaine Edmunds

Tremaine Edmunds is one of the NFL's youngest stars at the age of 21 years and 226 days. / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Edmunds has been a game-changer for the for the Bills ever since they drafted him 18th overall in 2018, and the best part about him is that he hasn't even turned 22 yet. He's got 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and 218 total tackles to his name in his career. All of that is made even more impressive by the fact that he's almost a year and a half younger than Burrow!

3. Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley is one of the top running backs in the NFL. / Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

At 22 years and 308 days old, Barkley is somehow a good two months younger than Burrow. He was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, and he has more than lived up to the hype. Barkley won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and has already totaled 2,930 yards from scrimmage in 26 NFL games. It's just crazy to think that he's younger than Burrow.

2. Denzel Ward

Denzel Ward, who is 22 years old, has been a ball hawk in his young NFL career. / Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Ward, who is 22 years and 230 days old, was selected just two picks behind Barkley by the Cleveland Browns, and he has already established himself as one of the most dominant cornerbacks in the game. He has four interceptions and 20 passes defended in 22 total games, and he's well on his way to earning his second Pro Bowl nod in as many years.

1. Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson is somehow younger than Joe Burrow / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Yes, you read that correct. The likely NFL MVP is 27 whole days younger than Joe Burrow, who is almost certain to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Burrow's long journey to college football superstardom was surpassed by LJ, whose sudden ascendence to best pound-for-pound NFL QB caught most of us by surprise, despite his status as a game-breaker at Louisville.