Aging Like Fine Wine: NFL Players Over 30 Making Waves in 2024 🍷🏈
As the NFL evolves with fresh talent bursting into the scene each year, there's still a significant space for seasoned veterans to leave their mark on the game. In the ongoing celebration of athletic prowess, age is becoming just a number for many players who are demonstrating outstanding performance. Let’s take a look at the top 30 players in the league this season who are aged 30 or older and still making formidable impacts on the field.
1. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens 👑
Derrick Henry's age-30 season has truly been remarkable. Including postseason play, he topped the NFL with a staggering 93.5 rushing grade and forced an incredible 89 missed tackles, both of which rank as league highs. Henry continues to wear down defenses, averaging 3.6 yards after contact per attempt. His partnership with Lamar Jackson makes this backfield one of the most lethal in the league, and for now, there's no sign of slowing down.
2. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers 💪
T.J. Watt remains a force to be reckoned with as he continues to impress in 2024. Earning an elite 91.7 grade—his second-highest ever—Watt stands out as the lone defensive lineman in the NFL to achieve a 90.0-plus grade in both run defense and pass rushing. If he maintains his health, Watt is poised to be a mainstay in the Defensive Player of the Year discussions.
3. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers 🏈
Kittle has firmly established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the league. His 92.1 overall grade leads all tight ends, while his 92.4 receiving grade sits just behind the top skill players in the league. Staying true to his multi-faceted skill set, Kittle also finished as one of the top tight ends in run-blocking efficiency.
4. Chris Jones, DI, Kansas City Chiefs 🔒
Chris Jones continues to be a key pillar for Kansas City's defensive line. Concluding the season with a remarkable 91.5 pass-rushing grade, he ranks second among qualified interior defenders. This marks the sixth time in his last seven seasons that he has achieved a grade exceeding 90.0. Additionally, his 18.8% pass rush win rate is a testament to his ongoing dominance.
5. Lane Johnson, T, Philadelphia Eagles 🌟
Twelve seasons into a Hall of Fame-level career, Lane Johnson is still the benchmark for pass protection at right tackle. His 88.7 pass-blocking grade was the best at his position and ranked fifth across all NFL tackles. Alongside his teammate Jordan Mailata, both have proven to be stalwarts, earning high marks in both run-blocking and pass protection.
6. Trent Williams, T, San Francisco 49ers 🎯
Although Trent Williams faced injuries limiting him to 10 games in 2024, he excelled when on the field. With an 85.6 PFF grade, he ranked seventh among eligible offensive tackles. He's also one of only five tackles to land in the top ten in both pass-blocking and run-blocking grades during this tumultuous season.
7. Cameron Heyward, DI, Pittsburgh Steelers 🦾
Cameron Heyward continues to be a beast for Pittsburgh’s interior defense. His 90.1 overall grade in 2024 ranks among the best of his career, placing him as the only defensive tackle in the top five for both pass-rushing and run-defense grades. As he approaches his 36th birthday, he still shows no signs of decline.
8. Khalil Mack, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers ⚡
Khalil Mack returns for another year making headlines in Los Angeles. Finishing with a 90.2 overall grade, Mack was fifth among qualified edge defenders. With 52 pressures and nine sacks (including postseason numbers), his value in run defense remains supremely high—only T.J. Watt surpassed his 87.7 run-defense grade.
9. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals 🔥
Although Trey Hendrickson's future remains uncertain, he showcased exceptional pass-rush production, leading the league in both pressures and sacks during the regular season. His ranking as fifth with a 90.4 pass-rush grade solidifies his reputation as an elite performer throughout his tenure in Cincinnati.
10. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 📈
Mike Evans achieved his eleventh consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2024, proving as sharp as ever. Despite battling injuries, he managed a 90.2 receiving grade, tying with Amon-Ra St. Brown for the fourth-highest among qualified wide receivers.
11. Joe Thuney, G, Chicago Bears 🎩
Throughout his four seasons in Kansas City, Joe Thuney earned accolades for top-notch pass-blocking. Although his overall grade saw a slight dip in 2024 due to an extended stint at left tackle, his pass-blocking score would have easily topped the NFL had he played guard for the entire season—good news for his new quarterback, Caleb Williams.
12. Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders 🚀
Bobby Wagner remains a titan in run defense at an advanced age. His 91.2 run-defense grade ranks him second among eligible linebackers. Besides his strong traditional role, Wagner also generated significant pressure, racking up 28 pressures and four sacks during the season.
13. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins 🌪️
Tyreek Hill may have posted a career-low 77.3 receiving grade in 2024 due to injuries and issues with pass protection, but he still carries the reputation of one of the league’s premier playmakers. In the prior two seasons, he led all receivers with a stellar 94.5 receiving grade.
14. Calais Campbell, DI, Arizona Cardinals 🐻
Calais Campbell continues to defy age, showcasing exceptional run defense. At 38 years old, he recorded an 85.9 run-defense grade, leading all interior defenders in this category. Boasting 39 pressures and five sacks, Campbell proves he’s not merely a run-stopper as he gears up for his age-39 season.
15. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens 🎉
Andrews remains a top-tier tight end as of 2024. Even with some postseason challenges, he achieved an impressive 84.6 receiving grade—his best in the past three seasons—leading all tight ends in touchdown receptions with 11.
16. Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Houston Texans 🚀
In his first year with Houston, Hunter had an impressive showing, earning an 81.1 pass-rush grade—his second-best career-wise. His ability to maintain a streak of five seasons with a 77.0-plus pass-rush grade speaks volumes about his consistency.
17. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals 🔥
Conner has flourished in Arizona's downhill running system, achieving a phenomenal 92.2 rushing grade over the last two seasons—second only to Derrick Henry in that time frame. In 2024, he posted career highs with 1,094 rushing yards and forced 68 missed tackles.
18. Laremy Tunsil, T, Washington Commanders ⚔️
Transitioning to a new team, Laremy Tunsil will now protect young quarterback Jayden Daniels. In 2024, his 89.1 pass-blocking grade ranked fourth among tackles. His impressive 91.5 mark over the past four seasons trails only Tristan Wirfs.
19. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams 🌟
Despite a rocky start to the season due to trades and quarterback struggles, Davante Adams rebounded and regained form during the latter part of the season. Earning an 82.1 receiving grade from Week 9 to 18, he recorded 770 yards, positioning himself for a bounce-back season following a fresh start in Los Angeles.
20. Kevin Zeitler, G, Tennessee Titans 🎯
Zeitler's tenure in Detroit marked one of his career highs with an 87.2 run-blocking grade. Recording an overall grade of 86.5, this performance places him among the top three guards in the league, providing Tennessee with a much-anticipated boost as they look toward the future.
21. Leonard Williams, DI, Seattle Seahawks 💥
Leonard Williams had a standout season at age 30, achieving an 87.1 PFF grade—his best yet. It also marks the second time in his career that he has managed a grade of 70.0 or higher in both run defense and pass rushing.
22. Garett Bolles, T, Denver Broncos 🛡️
In his ninth season, Bolles is proving to be enduringly reliable as a pass blocker, as indicated by his impressive 88.2 pass-blocking grade—ranking sixth among tackles. Allowing only two sacks throughout the season, he continues to be among the best in the business.
23. Deforest Buckner, DI, Indianapolis Colts 🔒
Buckner remains an anchor for the Colts, concluding the season with an 81.9 grade despite missing five games due to injury. This achievement signals his third consecutive season holding a grade above 81.8 as he advances toward his age-31 year.
24. Jake Matthews, T, Atlanta Falcons 🏅
As he approaches his age-33 season, Jake Matthews stands out among pass protectors, earning an 85.4 pass-blocking grade—his second highest. With sustainability in mind, he has played over 1,000 snaps in each of the past decade, showcasing remarkable durability.
25. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ⚡
Ending his 20s on a high note, Baker Mayfield delivered the best season of his career in 2024. With an 85.9 PFF grade, he ranked sixth among quarterbacks and excelled in key statistical areas, setting the stage for thriving in 2025 with a strong team around him.
26. Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders 🎸
Geno Smith's revival in his 30s has led to remarkable productivity, ranking eighth in passing grade over the last three seasons. His outstanding deep-pass performance signifies a potentially transformative effect on the Raiders’ offense in 2025.
27. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs 💡
Despite a noticeable dip in performance by his standards, finishing with a career-low receiving grade, Travis Kelce remains a pivotal player for Kansas City. With 110 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards amassed—including postseason performances—he continues to be an integral part of the team’s offensive dynamics.
28. Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots 🏃♂️
Stefon Diggs faced a challenging 2024 season marred by injury, yet he still displayed elite skills during his eight appearances. After moving to New England from Houston, he has the opportunity to reclaim his top form, especially since last year’s receiving corps struggled significantly.
29. Demario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints 🌟
Demario Davis remains an exceptional linebacker at age 35, achieving a 73.2 overall grade and an 80.2 run-defense grade—both of which are top marks at his position. His durability shines through in his consistent performance, having played over 1,000 snaps for six consecutive years.
30. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams 🎯
Matthew Stafford's 2024 journey showed resilience despite early struggles, helping push the Rams close to Super Bowl contention. After earning an 80.9 passing grade from Week 8 onward, he remains a formidable player capable of elite-level performance when supported adequately.
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the NFL, the spotlight on these age-defying athletes displays that talent, hard work, and experience can go hand in hand, no matter the number of candles on a birthday cake. 🎂 🌟