10 NFL Players to Start a Team Around for the Next 10 Years

Since Aaron Rodgers is still questionable for this weekend's game, it got me to thinking which players are most valuable to their teams. And since I am an avid fantasy football player, I had this idea to try to list the top ten picks in a giant keeper league for the next ten years. Only this league isn't fantasy and all about stats, but rather about building a team around. They players need to be relatively young and quite good, and play a position of vital importance (punters need not apply).

(These aren't ranked, just the ten best in my mind.)

Aaron Rodgers - In only his third season as a starter, Rodgers has a ton of knowledge and ability without a lot of miles on his odometer. There's a reason that quarterbacks are so often taken number one in the NFL Draft, to be a foundation to build a team around. Rodgers appears to be the best of that bunch, so he definitely belongs in this list. He's already 26, but many quarterbacks have found success through their mid thirties.

Adrian Peterson - Adrian Peterson is already 25, and it's a well known fact that many running backs can drop off the face of the earth after they hit 30 (Willie Parker, Edge James, Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, etc.). Peterson has proven to be a talent above and beyond the names on this list, and has at least 4-5 elite years ahead of him.

Chris Johnson - Having just turned 24, Chris Johnson has a leg up age-wise and skill-wise on AD in my opinion. He's fast and has a swagger, two things that can't be taught.

Sam Bradford/Matt Ryan - Two former very high draft picks who have actually panned out so far, and appear headed towards elite status for the next decade, and would be very easy to build a team around.

Joe Thomas - The best of the young left tackle bunch which also includes Ryan Clady and Jake Long. The anchor of pass protection and the running game, left tackles are a great place to start building a team around.

Darrelle Revis/Patrick Willis/Ndamakong Suh - The three best at their positions are all viable options to start a defensive-minded team around. Shutdown corner, captain middle linebacker, or double-team commanding pass rusher, you can't go wrong with any of these three choices here.