The Oldest and Youngest Defensive Position Groups in the NFL

Last week, we presented the oldest and youngest offensive position groups in the NFL. Based on the 2021 rosters, here are the top 5 oldest teams and top 5 youngest teams by defensive position group in the NFL, as well as the league average at each position group.

Defensive Line

Average Age: 25.80

Oldest

1. Baltimore Ravens: 27.26 years old
2. Buffalo Bills: 27.13 years old
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 26.65 years old
4. San Francisco 49ers: 26.62 years old
5. Atlanta Falcons: 26.57 years old

Youngest

1. Los Angeles Rams: 24.32 years old
2. Tennessee Titans: 24.68 years old
3. Washington Football Team: 24.82 years old
4. New York Jets: 24.83 years old
5. Minnesota Vikings: 24.92 years old

Linebackers

Average Age: 25.67

Oldest

1. Chicago Bears: 27.40 years old
2. Miami Dolphins: 27.00 years old
3. Houston Texans: 26.94 years old
4. Arizona Cardinals: 26.78 years old
5. New England Patriots: 26.46 years old

Youngest

1. Cincinnati Bengals: 23.78 years old
2. Cleveland Browns: 24.56 years old
3. Los Angeles Chargers: 24.78 years old
4. Dallas Cowboys: 24.90 years old
5. New York Giants/Pittsburgh Steelers/San Francisco 49ers: 25.00 years old

Cornerbacks

Average Age: 25.35

Oldest

1. New England Patriots: 26.67 years old
2. Indianapolis Colts: 26.33 years old
3. New Orleans Saints: 26.25 years old
4. Washington Football Team: 26.15 years old
5. Arizona Cardinals: 26.13 years old

Youngest

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 23.73 years old
2. Green Bay Packers: 24.00 years old
3. New York Jets: 24.08 years old
4. Kansas City Chiefs: 24.30 years old
5. Atlanta Falcons: 24.33 years old

Safeties

Average Age: 25.68

Oldest

1. New England Patriots: 29.00 years old
2. Chicago Bears: 28.50 years old
3. New Orleans Saints/Philadelphia Eagles: 27.00 years old
4. Cincinnati Bengals: 26.83 years old
5. San Francisco 49ers: 26.60 years old

Youngest:

1. Los Angeles Chargers: 23.60 years old
2. Los Angeles Rams: 23.80 years old
3. New York Giants: 24.00 years old
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 24.27 years old
5. Las Vegas Raiders: 24.38 years old

Here are differences between league average and each team’s average age at the defensive position groups: