Future Hall of Famer's - Current Players on their way to Canton

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the 32 rosters and see how many current players would be in with a chance of getting in to the Hall of Fame.

To make the Hall of Fame, players need to be near the top of their game for at least 5 years, ideally have won something and show the kind of character that makes them worthy of such a lofty honour.

I’ll go through, team by team, showing the players that, from their career so far, may have a good argument for getting the ultimate accolade for any NFL player.

Buffalo Bills

Players with a chance (4) – LeSean McCoy, Richie Incognito, Kyle Williams, Vontae Davis.

Players likely to be Chosen (1) LeSean McCoy

I think McCoy will make it as he’s had a rare lengthy career for a running back and he actually seems to be getting better with age. In his 9 years so far, he’s had six 1000 yard seasons and he rarely misses a game. Incognito has been one of the better guards in the league through his career but he has had bans and controversy that will turn voters against him. Kyle Williams has been great for Buffalo but he’s gone under the radar somewhat. Vontae Davis has been inconsistent and injury prone in his 9 year career thus far.

Miami Dolphins

Players with a chance (6) – Frank Gore, Danny Amendola, Josh Sitton, Robert Quinn, Cameron Wake, Reshad Jones

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Frank Gore

Gore gets in by sheer volume of yardage (he’s currently 5th all time with over 14,000 yards). Amendola has a chance through Superbowl wins with the Pats but his regular season yards don’t stack up. Sitton is one of the better guards, and has been for a number of years, but he’s not quite in the elite category and falls just short. Robert Quinn has had 3 seasons with over 10 sacks but again falls short. Cam Wake may be the unluckiest in this list to miss out as he’s been dominant and dependable for a number of years and could push over 100 sacks with another good year. Reshad Jones has been very good but there are probably better Safeties that might not make it and it would be hard to see him making the hall.

New England Patriots

Players with a chance (7) – Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski,

Jason McCourty, Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater

Players likely to be chosen (4) – Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, Devin McCourty

Brady isn’t even a discussion. Gronkowski should not need to be a discussion. Gostkowski has been an elite kicker for 12 years, not much discussion. Devin McCourty should get in, in my opinion, as his consistency, reliability and leadership skills have been a massive part of the Pats dominance under Belichick. Jason McCourty, Devin’s twin, will miss out as he’s not always been great despite a very respectable career. Edelman falls short of a number of other great receivers that would be more worthy. Slater may seem a strange inclusion here but he’s been one of the greatest special teams players ever to play the game but I fear that doesn’t hold enough credit to get a pass to Canton.

New York Jets

Players with a chance (0)

Players likely to be chosen (0)

Erm, oh dear, lots of promising youngsters though.

Baltimore Ravens

Players with a chance (7) – Joe Flacco, Michael Crabtree, Marshal Yanda, Justin Tucker, C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle

Players likely to be chosen (2) – Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle

Suggs has been terrorising QBs since 2003 and he shows very little sign of slowing down at 35. Weddle is one of the best Safeties to play the game in the last 10 years and, like Suggs, is playing at a very high level at an advanced age. Joe Flacco has won a Superbowl but that just isn’t enough, his career as a whole may actually be a disappointment when all is said and done. Crabtree just isn’t quite good enough to make Canton. Tucker is a great kicker but, given the other kickers likely to be in with a chance, he falls short (unlike most of his kicks). Mosley is in the early stages of his career but deserves a mention here even though he hasn’t done enough, as yet, to be guaranteed anything. I’d love to see Yanda, a great lineman for a number of years, get in but he suffer given that his position isn’t often viewed as important as QB, CB etc, etc.

Cincinnati Bengals

Players with a chance (4) – A.J. Green, Cordy Glenn, Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins

Players likely to be chosen (0)

I’m discounting Cordy Glenn and Carlos Dunlap early in the discussion as I think they both aren’t quite of the quality required to have their heads moulded in to gold busts. Green could easily carve out a career that guarantees him an entry but he’s not quite there yet. Geno Atkins would be unlucky to miss out because, when on top of his game, he’s one of the best D-Linemen in the league and has been for at least the last 5 years.

Cleveland Browns

Players with a chance (1) – Jarvis Landry

Players likely to be chosen (0)

If Landry continues to catch as many balls in Cleveland as he did in Miami then he’s got a really good chance but we’ll have to see how that goes.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Players with a chance (6) – Ben Roethlisberger, LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown, Maurkice Pouncey,

David DeCastro, Joe Haden

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Joe Haden

Roethlisberger, despite some inconsistency, should get in as soon as he becomes eligible. Antonio Brown is an exceptional receiver and, arguably, the best in the league for at least the last 3 years. Haden may seem a little bit of a stretch but he was one of the top corners for years whilst in Cleveland and has overcome injuries to keep playing at a high level in Pittsburgh and he’s still only 28. Bell probably will get to Canton but, just going off career so far, I want to see a little more before I make a firm commitment. Pouncey and DeCastro are very good but I discount Pouncey fairly early and DeCastro just needs to put together another couple of years such as his 2017 season and I’ll be convinced.

Houston Texans

Players with a chance (5) – DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt, Jedeveon Clowney, Johnathan Joseph,

Shane Lechler.

Players likely to be chosen (3) – DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt, Shane Lechler

I’m hoping Hopkins gets more love when his career has finished than he seems to whilst he’s playing, the guy is pure quality. Watt is a guarantee, he’s just dominate and has been for years. Lechler used to boom punts like few others and he’s still playing at 107. Joseph was a top corner a few years back but he’s not been for a some time now and that lack of longevity may go against him. Clowney has the chance to be great but we need a bigger sample size.

Indianapolis Colts

Players with a chance (2) – Andrew Luck, Adam Vinatieri

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Adam Vinatieri

Luck could/should be able to push his career to Hall of Fame consideration if he can return from injury and take a poor looking Colts team to any kind of success. Vinatieri is one of the best kickers ever and a no-brainer for inclusion.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Players with a chance (4) – Andrew Norwell, Calais Campbell, Malik Jackson, A.J. Bouye

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Calais Campbell

It would be a travesty if Campbell didn’t get in, he’s just had his best season for sacks (14.5) and he’s a freakish athlete who can play a number of roles on a team. Norwell and Bouye are at the pinnacle of their careers right now but we need to see this maintained for at least another couple of years. Malik Jackson is a very good player but he shoudn’t get in even though he did score a touchdown in a Superbowl.

Tennessee Titans

Players with a chance (6) – Marcus Mariota, Delanie Walker, Taylor Lewan, Jurrell Casey, Brian Orakpo, Malcolm Butler

Players likely to be chosen (0)

Mariota and Lewan may well do enough before their career ends to get in but they’re not there yet. Walker, Casey and Orakpo may well miss out as they haven’t ever been considered the best at their position, it seems harsh but most entrants will, at one point, have been considered the best at what they do. Malcolm Butler is a tricky one but I’m not going to let one play in a Superbowl sway me to include him.

Denver Broncos

Players with a chance (3) – Demaryius Thomas, Von Miller, Chris Harris

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Von Miller

Miller should brush past a left tackle and breeze in to Canton. Harris is a really hard guy to exclude as he’s played exceptionally well for years and, as an un-drafted free agent, he’s far exceeded expectations. Thomas shouldn’t get in despite some great seasons and a Superbowl win, he’s actually not as dominant as you’d like him to be.

Kansas City Chiefs

Players with a chance (3) – Travis Kelce, Justin Houston, Eric Berry

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Travis Kelce, Justin Houston, Eric Berry

I like all 3 of the Chiefs candidates to get in eventually. Houston and Berry have both put forward exceptional bodies of work and I’d be surprised if they didn’t make it. Kelce has shown enough for me already to be considered one of the best Tight Ends around if not one of the finest to ever play the game.

Los Angeles Chargers

Players with a chance (4) – Philip Rivers, Russell Okung, Mike Pouncey, Casey Hayward

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Philip Rivers

Rivers gets in, he’s kept the Chargers competitive for a number of years and is arguably still one of the top QBs around. Okung has been really good at times but doesn’t have a good enough career behind him to warrant inclusion. Pouncey only just makes this list so I can’t take him any further. Hayward was one of the best corners in 2017 and has been good for years, he’s a player that needs a bit more to be seriously considered.

Oakland Raiders

Players with a chance (5) – Marshawn Lynch, Jordy Nelson, Donald Penn, Rodney Hudson, Khalil

Mack

Players likely to be chosen (2) – Marshawn Lynch, Khalil Mack

Lynch deserves to go, he’s had a great career despite a few odd antics. His performances in the playoffs for Seattle were dominant and drove the whole team to success. Mack has over 40 sacks through just 4 seasons, he’s unlikely to slow down and may very well be considered one of the best pass rushers ever by the time he’s done. Nelson had a few seasons in Green Bay when he was at the top of the tree but I just couldn’t commit to sending him in. Penn has been great but he’s not quite been great enough. Hudson is a fine center but needs a little more, to end his career, to be considered fully.

Dallas Cowboys

Players with a chance (8) – Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Dan Bailey, Sean Lee

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Jason Witten

1 out of 8 seems bad but when you consider 4 of these players(Elliott, Smith, Frederick, Martin) have plenty of years left in them in which they may only get better then the future is bright in Dallas. Witten is a cert for me, everyone’s expecting him to retire but he just keeps going and he’s one of the best ever. Dez Bryant, given his talent, should have had a HOF worthy career but he’s fallen short so far. Bailey is a great kicker but, like Justin Tucker(see Baltimore above), isn’t as good as some others (see Vinatieri, Gostkowski). Sean Lee is an awesome player who leads Dallas’ defense but he’s not had the body of work as yet.

New York Giants

Players with a chance (6) – Eli Manning, Jonathan Stewart, Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall, Damon Harrison, Landon Collins

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Eli Manning

Dare I suggest that Manning gets in by default? He probably deserves it and the titles almost guarantee it. Stewart has been one of the more productive runners in recent years but won’t quite make it. Marshall will split opinion but he’s considered a questionable character and that will go against him, the same might be said for Odell Beckham but we’ll have to see how the rest of his career plays out. Damon Harrison isn’t quite dominant enough to be a true consideration. Landon Collins has the potential to have a HOF career and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does.

Philadelphia Eagles

Players with a chance (8) – Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, Jason Peters, Brandon Graham, Michael Bennett, Fletcher Cox, Haloti Ngata, Malcolm Jenkins

Players likely to be chosen (4) – Jason Peters, Michael Bennett, Fletcher Cox, Haloti Ngata

Philly could start this year with at least 3 future hall of famers on their D-Line. Ngata, for me, is a lock to get in to the Hall but Bennett and Cox should join him given their quality showings over numerous years. Jason Peters, when fit, is probably still the best tackle in the league and he has been for a while (if you ignore Joe Thomas). Jenkins probably hasn’t done enough over his career to date but the others: Wentz, Ertz, Graham have time to produce the sort of career required.

Washington Redskins

Players with a chance (5) – Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Trent Williams, Ryan Kerrigan, Josh Norman

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Trent Williams

Williams keeps rolling as a top blind-side protector, I’m hoping he’s viewed more favourably than some Redskins linemen of the past have been. I’m a big Alex Smith fan but I’m not sure there are enough others that feel the same way. Davis was a top tight end a few years back but he only had a small window of elite play. Kerrigan is a really good, mostly overlooked, pass rusher who I hope can see out his career with similar play to be able to stand a chance. Norman, for me, just misses out. I was really 50/50 on him and another couple of great seasons could tip me over to saying he’ll definitely make it.

Chicago Bears

Players with a chance (0)

Players likely to be chosen (0)

Whoops, nothing to see here. Lots of promising youngsters though (Copy & paste from Jets).

Detroit Lions

Players with a chance (5) – Matthew Stafford, LeGarette Blount, Golden Tate, Ezekiel Ansah, Darius Slay

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Matthew Stafford

Stafford deserves to get in, he’s been exceptional over many years and is constantly a top 10 performer. Blount & Ansah just aren’t quite of the quality required although Ansah could improve and change my mind. Tate may well deserve serious consideration but I’m being strict on receivers given the number of high quality ones in this report. Slay hasn’t done enough yet but, like Ansah, has every chance to merit further consideration.

Green Bay Packers

Players with a chance (8) – Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Jimmy Graham, David Bakhtiari, Mike Daniels, Muhammad Wilkerson, Clay Matthews, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Players likely to be chosen (2) – Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews

Rodgers is a first ballot entry, no question. Matthews is one of my favorite players from the last 10 years and his production gets him in. Cobb falls short, as does Wilkerson given his drop in play recently. Daniels and Dix are very good players but they don’t deserve entry over other stars at their positions. Bakhtiari is now undoubtedly one of the premier tackles in the league, he could get there given another couple of elite years. Graham is close but I couldn’t quite take the leap to send him in, it will be interesting to see if he can fit in to Green Bay’s offense and get back on track.

Minnesota Vikings

Players with a chance (3) – Sheldon Richardson, Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Harrison Smith

Harrison Smith is a great player and, year-on-year, one of the best at his position and in the league. Richardson isn’t quite there, a good player but not quite good enough. Rhodes could make it, we’ll need to see more of him in ‘shutdown’ terms for at least 2-3 years.

Atlanta Falcons

Players with a chance (6) – Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Alex Mack, Matt Bryant, Desmond Trufant

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Matt Bryant

Ryan and Jones get in without question. Bryant gets in for consistency and longevity. Freeman and Mack are on the outside looking in at the moment. Freeman is a productive performer but he may not end his career with the required stats, Mack may miss out given he’s a center and less high profile. Trufant is a top corner but, as with so many others in this report, can’t be considered over others that I’ve already denied entry.

Carolina Panthers

Players with a chance (8) – Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Ryan Kalil, Julius Peppers, Kawann Short, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Mike Adams

Players likely to be chosen (4) – Cam Newton, Julius Peppers, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis

Like him or not, Cam Newton is a great QB and he’s been at the forefront of the league taking a more favourable view of ‘running’ signal-callers. Peppers is an extraordinary player who should get in on first ballot. Kuechly is, and has been for a while, one of the top Linebackers in the league and I see him getting in without much question. Davis should get in not only for his stellar play on the field but because he seems to win the man of the year award every year. Olsen, Kalil and Adams might come up short although Olsen has a really good chance. Short has been excellent for 3-4 seasons now but it will take more for him to make it.

New Orleans Saints

Players with a chance (4) – Drew Brees, Terron Armstead, Cameron Jordan, Thomas Morstead

Players likely to be chosen (2) – Drew Brees, Thomas Morstead

Brees = HOF. Morstead is an exceptional punter who, despite the position he plays, should get in eventually. Jordan is one of the best pass rushers around and, each year, he seems to be a dominant force. If Jordan can continue his sack ratio over the remainder of his career then he’ll have a great chance to get in to Canton. Armstead might have been a top ten tackle in a few of the years he’s played but that won’t be enough to get him there.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Players with a chance (6) – Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Jason Pierre-Paul, Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, Brent Grimes

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Mike Evans, Gerald McCoy, Brent Grimes

Evans is a dominant receiver who, when his career is over, should have produced enough to be straight in to the hall but it won’t be a given. McCoy, for at least 5 years, has been a top 3 Interior Defensive Lineman and that kind of output deserves full credit and respect. Grimes is another player who deserves respect and, given his size, he’s exceeded expectations in an exceptional career. Jackson & Pierre-Paul will be remembered fondly when they’ve retired but I can’t see them getting in to the Hall. David is a really good, underrated player who probably won’t make it but who should receive more attention than he does.

Arizona Cardinals

Players with a chance (7) – David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Iupati, Phil Dawson, Chandler Jones, Patrick Peterson, Andy Lee

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Larry Fitzgerald, Phil Dawson, Patrick Peterson

Larry Fitzgerald is almost as much of a sure thing as Tom Brady. Phil Dawson is a phenomenal kicker with a long, long career behind him. Peterson is a trickier one but he’s been elite in his career so far and I see that continuing for enough years to get him in. Chandler Jones could make a push to be considered with continued production in the remainder of his career. Johnson lost nearly all of 2017 through injury but he’s a top 5 Running Back and could be for years to come, time will tell with him. Iupati seems to have had his best years already and, if that is the case, he’s not done enough to get in. Lee just falls short especially given his position.

Los Angeles Rams

Players with a chance (6) – Todd Gurley, Andrew Whitworth, Greg Zuerlein, Aaron Donald, Aqib Talib, Johnny Hekker

Players likely to be chosen (4) – Todd Gurley, Andrew Whitworth, Aaron Donald, Aqib Talib

Gurley will get in, I can’t see his play dropping any time soon. Whitworth was great in Cincinnati but he didn’t seem to get the credit, the move to LA has finally put him in the light he deserves to be viewed in and he should get in. Donald is one of the greatest defensive linemen to play the game, in my opinion and he will surely be there even if his career ends tomorrow. Talib was a slightly tougher choice, especially as I chose not to choose Chris Harris, but I think he makes it especially if he can play well to see out his career in LA. The Specialists, Zuerlein and Hekker, need a little bit more longevity first before I can send them to Canton.

Seattle Seahawks

Players with a chance (7) – Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, Duane Brown, Cliff Avril, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor

Players likely to be chosen (3) – Russell Wilson, Duane Brown, Earl Thomas

Wilson needs to be in the Hall of Fame, he deserves it solely for having to run for his life every play behind Seattle’s appalling O-line. Brown was a top Tackle for 4-5 years in Houston so he should get in despite some late career decline. Thomas is one of the best safeties ever but the hardest choice here was to take Thomas and not Chancellor even as I’m writing I’m not sure but I just think Chancellor doesn’t get the attention that Thomas does. Avril has been a productive pass rusher but not quite to the level required. Baldwin may finish his career as an underrated player unlikely to get in which would be a shame. Wagner has as much right to get in a Luke Kuechly but I want a couple more seasons out of him first (that seems really harsh).

San Francisco 49ers

Players with a chance (4) – Pierre Garcon, Joe Staley, Robbie Gould, Richard Sherman

Players likely to be chosen (1) – Richard Sherman

Sherman gets in as one of the premier shutdown corners of the last decade. Garcon should not be ignored but he doesn’t get in. Staley falls short given the quality of other Tackles that have got in and some that I have as missing out. Gould is a productive kicker with a good career behind him but it’s not quite good enough.

#ProFootballHallofFame #AmericanFootball #NFL #CurrentPlayers