Current NFLers in the HOF

[irishroo]

Been thinking about this recently. What active NFL players do you guys think will be in the Hall of Fame when it's all said and done? Here's my list:

Locks
- Peyton Manning: No explanation necessary
- Tom Brady: No explanation necessary (GOAT?)
- Drew Brees: Not on the Manning/Brady level, but 8 Pro Bowls, 2 MVPs, Super Bowl MVP, and a myriad of records makes this a done deal
- Eli Manning: Not a great regular season QB, but 2 Super Bowl MVPs as a QB gets you in. Tempted to move him down, but can't justify it given his postseason success.
- Aaron Rodgers: Just turned 32, 2x MVP, looking like he could finish up as one of the very best to ever live. God I hate the Packers
Charles Woodson: 8 Pro Bowls, Defensive POY. Just announced his retirement at the end of this season - what a career for him.
- Calvin Johnson: Youngest ever to 10,000 yards, 5x Pro Bowl, probably the most physically gifted player the position has ever seen. Still only 30, some say he's slowing down, but he just passed 1000 receiving yards for the 6th year in a row.
- Ben Rotehlisberger: Moved him up from the "real good shot" category after his play this season. Having a huge year despite missing time with injury, leader and driving force of one of the best passing attacks I've seen in years.
- Adrian Peterson: Also moved him up from "real good shot" after his play this year. 30 years old, NFL leader in rushing through 15 weeks, will be his 7th Pro Bowl in 9 seasons (the other 2 being a full-year suspension and one cut short by injury). Has vaulted himself into the top 5-7 RBs to ever play, with more still to come.
- Joe Thomas: Moved up from "real good shot," 8x Pro Bowl, has never missed a game, best OL of his generation. An all-time great.

Real good shot, but not yet a lock
- DeMarcus Ware: Most dominant pass rusher of the past decade, but HOF isn't particularly kind to pass rushers. If he can get a ring with the Broncos, he'll be a lock. Update: tempted to move him up after a Pro Bowl season with Broncos last year. Thoughts?
- Antonio Gates: 8 Pro Bowls, one of the pioneers of the modern day hybrid TE/WR
- Jason Witten: Had him a tier lower, that was just wrong. Very similar to Antonio Gates, one of the best TEs ever.
- JJ Watt: I know it's really early for him to be regarded this highly, but he looks like the most dominant defender since LT.
- Darelle Revis: Moved up from "don't know yet" because he's now 30 years old. Best CB of his generation, 6x (soon to be 7) Pro Bowl, but I think jumping from team to team like he has will hurt his HOF chances.
- Larry Fitzgerald: Moved up from "maybe," having something of a comeback year on one of the best teams in football, hopeful he can get a ring before it's all said and done as he seems like one of the true good guys in the game.

Maybe
- Haloti Ngata: Consistently underrated, 5 Pro Bowls, best player in the last decade at the most difficult position on defense
- Jared Allen: Similar to DeMarcus Ware, not as versatile or long-lasting.
- Kevin Williams: 6 Pro Bowls, All-Decade team, anchor of best run D in NFL history
- Devin Hester: Hard to believe a pure returner could get in the HOF, but he re-defined the position
- Andre Johnson
- Reggie Wayne
- Dwight Freeney
- Wes Welker
- Vince Wilfork
- Terrell Suggs
- Phillip Rivers

Don't know yet, but the talent is there
- Richard Sherman
- AJ Green
- Jimmy Graham
- Rob Gronkowski: If healthy, the most dangerous offensive weapon in football and a surefire HOF candidate. Unfortunately, health is a big if for him.
- Ndamukong Suh
- Gerald McCoy
- Jordy Nelson: Difficult to separate him from Rodgers, but his numbers are outrageous.
- Andrew Luck: Not sure what happened before the injury this year, but still looks to be the next great NFL QB. We'll see in the next couple years.
- Russell Wilson: Already has a ring, continues to get better.
- Earl Thomas
- Dez Bryant
- Julio Jones
- Antonio Brown
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Aaron Donald
- Khalil Mack
- Luke Kuechly
- Zack Martin (yup)

Anybody I missed or mis-categorized? What do you guys think?

Updated after Week 14 of 2014 NFL season.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

I understand the reservation on AP but I have him as a lock at this point. He's in the top group of RBs to ever play. [says top group as to leave it open ended and not get yelled at by BGIF and older posters about not appreciating older players enough]

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I would add to the lock category Adam Vinatieri.

 

[irishroo]

I would add to the lock category Adam Vinatieri.

Are there any kickers in the HOF?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Yes there are kickers in the HOF. With Ray Guy being the first punter in recently, I don't see why Vinatieri won't make it, after a long wait though of course:

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Blanda, Groza, Jan Stenerud, and one punter, Ray Guy.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Jared Allen will suffer the same fate as Kevin Greene: A pass rush specialist who gets looked over for not being a more complete player.

 

[irishroo]

Blanda, Groza, Jan Stenerud, and one punter, Ray Guy.

Interesting, had no idea, although I'd argue Stenerud is the only true comparable as Groza and Blanda played other positions too.

 

[anarin]

Jared Allen will suffer the same fate as Kevin Greene: A pass rush specialist who gets looked over for not being a more complete player.

Until he breaks the single season sack record this year.

(naturally wishful thinking)

 

[irishroo]

Jared Allen will suffer the same fate as Kevin Greene: A pass rush specialist who gets looked over for not being a more complete player.

I think you may be right, which is too bad cause he's one of my all time favorite players

 

[Booslum31]

I think Megatron is a lock. Dude cant be covered.

 

[irishroo]

I think Megatron is a lock. Dude cant be covered.

Looking more closely I think you might be right. Didn't realize he's already 28, felt like he's a lot younger than that. If he stays healthy I think he's got a shot at de-throning Jerry Rice as the best WR there's ever been. I should have at least put him into the second category

 

[NDPhilly]

Throw Lesean McCoy up there under the last one. He's still only 25

 

[Bishop2b5]

AD's probably already a lock. I think Julio Jones has a good shot at making it to the HOF if he makes a full recovery from last season's foot injury.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Charles Woodson is an absolute lock. You have to throw Reggie Wayne as real good shot. Big Ben is a lock. Hutchinson is a lock. Don't see Vince Wilfolk on the list, he is a lock. Mario Williams is a maybe. Dwight freeney should be a lock. Wes welker as a maybe.

Just off the top of my head



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wild Bill]

If gates is a maybe, witten is a maybe.

 

[arrowryan]

Troy Polamalu is definitely a lock

 

[irishfan]

Welker? Two more seasons of 70 catches and he's at 1000 and in the top 10 all time. Might get punished for playing with Brady/Manning though

 

[irishfan]

Also Steven Jackson is at #20 in career rushing yards right now, and 1,601 yards away from being #10 on the list. He'll be 31 this year but still has 2 years on his contract. Maybe if he gets to the top ten he would.

 

[IrishLax]

I think your list is correct, but it bothers me to absurd levels that Eli Manning would be considered a HOF player over about 30-40 other active guys. The HOF is way too QB biased.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think your list is correct, but it bothers me to absurd levels that Eli Manning would be considered a HOF player over about 30-40 other active guys. The HOF is way too QB biased.

I am right there with you and I would not consider Eli a lock. Take a look at this list attached. I agree people put too much emphasis on SB winning QB's. The question is why? I know it's a sexy position and the media has always loved them, but there is a considerable amount of SB history that we need to consider.

For example, from 1972 to 1980, the SB featured at least one of the following QB's (often two of them) - Bradshaw, Griese, Tarkenton and Staubach. All of them are in the HOF. Then, from 85 to 96 every SB but one had either Montana, Young, Kelly, Marino, Elway or Aikman. Again, all are in the HOF. Those are some incredible runs and has been the source of biases every since.

I personally don't see Eli comparing favorably to any of the listed and I hope in the end he is judged reasonably.

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?release_id=97

 

[woolybug25]

I am right there with you and I would not consider Eli a lock. Take a look at this list attached. I agree people put too much emphasis on SB winning QB's. The question is why? I know it's a sexy position and the media has always loved them, but there is a considerable amount of SB history that we need to consider.

For example, from 1972 to 1980, the SB featured at least one of the following QB's (often two of them) - Bradshaw, Griese, Tarkenton and Staubach. All of them are in the HOF. Then, from 85 to 96 every SB but one had either Montana, Young, Kelly, Marino, Elway or Aikman. Again, all are in the HOF. Those are some incredible runs and has been the source of biases every since.

I personally don't see Eli comparing favorably to any of the listed and I hope in the end he is judged reasonably.

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?release_id=97

Good luck with keeping a two time Super Bowl MVP (not just winning QB) out of the hall of fame. Especially one with the last name Manning.

You may not think he deserves it, but as long as this is something that is subjectively voted on, then don't hold your breath for them to leave Ei hanging.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I think your list is correct, but it bothers me to absurd levels that Eli Manning would be considered a HOF player over about 30-40 other active guys. The HOF is way too QB biased.

What about Vince Wilfolk. Not on the list and he should be a lock.

 

[IrishLax]

What about Vince Wilfolk. Not on the list and he should be a lock.

Phrased that wrong, should've said "every guy listed as a lock I think is a lock, but...".

There's lots of movement I'd advocate among the names and where they're listed.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Good luck with keeping a two time Super Bowl MVP (not just winning QB) out of the hall of fame. Especially one with the last name Manning.

You may not think he deserves it, but as long as this is something that is subjectively voted on, then don't hold your breath for them to leave Ei hanging.

I understand. I just see his defense being much more of a driving force for their championships.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm an advocate that Big Ben, Charles Woodson and Vince Wilfork should all be locks.

Then again I think Tim Brown should be in the HOF also...

 

[Irishnuke]

Reggie Wayne should be a lock.

 

[woolybug25]

Can someone sell me on why Wilfork is such a sure fire HoFer?

The dude won 1 Super Bowl (in a season he split time with Traylor at NT) and 5 Pro Bowls.

That's good and all... but not "sure fire" by any means. The dude has less than 500 career tackles and 16 career sacks.

He certainly hasn't had nearly the career as say... Warren Sapp, who many didn't want in the HoF when his number came up. So I struggle with why Wiltork is a sure thing?

 

[Irishnuke]

Also Demarcus Ware isn't a better pass rusher than Jared Allen, who isn't on your list.

 

[irishroo]

Charles Woodson is an absolute lock. You have to throw Reggie Wayne as real good shot. Big Ben is a lock. Hutchinson is a lock. Don't see Vince Wilfolk on the list, he is a lock. Mario Williams is a maybe. Dwight freeney should be a lock. Wes welker as a maybe.

Just off the top of my head



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You think "average" for a girl is 7 too? You throw "lock" around way too easily man. There is absolutely no way Freeney, Wilfork, or Hutchinson are locks. Hutchinson has the best shot of those 3 and he's probably a 50/50 shot.