Brightcast/Getty ImagesThe call to Canton runs deep for every player in the NFL. It is a dream as big or bigger than winning a Super Bowl ring. For some players, it is as close to a guarantee as there can be that they will make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. For others, it seems nearly as far away as the dreams of playing in the NFL were when they were kids. Some teams have a clear future Hall member on their roster and for others, it’s a stretch. Here are the most likely future candidates for the Hall of Fame on each NFL roster.
Arizona Cardinals — Matt Prater
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Career Highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, 83.4% career field goal
We start with the team that may be the most difficult to find a future Hall of Famer. J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins are both no longer with the team, and Kyler Murray’s up-and-down start to his career makes him far from a surefire selection. Enter kicker Matt Prater, who may go down as the best long-distance kicker in NFL history. Prater holds NFL records for most kicks of 50+ yards all-time (80), and most extra points in an individual season (75). Although he has never been selected as a First-Team All-Pro, that’s largely due to playing in the same era as other future Hall of Famers (Stephen Gostkowski, Adam Vinatieri, Justin Tucker). Don’t be surprised to see Prater in Canton one day.
Atlanta Falcons — A.J. Terrell
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Career Highlights: Four INTs, Four forced fumbles, 16th pick in 2020 NFL Draft
We’re a bit stretched on this one. Simply put — as currently constituted — there’s really no future Hall of Famer we can unequivocally point to currently on the Falcons’ roster. Kyle Pitts could get there one day, Bijan Robinson could get there one day, but both have not played much professional football. If we had to pick one guy, we landed with Terrell. He was a former first-round pick with some noteworthy ball skills on the back end. Still, we don’t necessarily feel great about his chances of ending up in Canton.
Baltimore Ravens — Justin Tucker
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Career Highlights: 5x All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl, 90.2% career field goal
There are three absolutes in this world: Death, taxes, and Justin Tucker kicking the crap out of footballs. The iconic Baltimore Ravens placekicker is the best of all-time — and that’s not an exaggeration to say. We’ve never seen someone possess Tucker’s accuracy to go along with arguably the strongest leg in the history of the NFL. He’s just been as close to automatic as you could be, given the pressure surrounding the position. There’s no reason to think he won’t continue performing at this all-league level.
Buffalo Bills — Von Miller
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 3x All-Pro, 8x Pro Bowl, 2x Super Bowl winner, SB 50 MVP, 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year, All-2010s Team
Send him to Canton! Over the last decade, the former Texas A&M star has been terrorizing opposing offenses as a one-man wrecking crew off the edge (primarily for the Broncos and briefly for the Rams). Miller’s first step is legendary — as are his instincts in getting to the quarterback. Now with Buffalo as a veteran, the hope for Bills Mafia is that he’ll give the unit a bit of a jolt despite being on the back half of his career. We would never count Miller out considering his pedigree and level of experience.
Carolina Panthers — Brian Burns
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, 46.0 sacks, 246 Tackles, 8 FF, 59 TFL
In his first five years in the league, the explosive OLB/EDGE out of Florida State has proven his worth. Burns is the heart and soul of this defense. For a team where everything seems bleak, he is the one bright point bringing energy and leadership to a defense that allowed 24.5 points per game in 2023 (29th). His ability to get after the quarterback and disrupt an offense is one of the few current bright spots on a struggling Panthers team.
Chicago Bears — DJ Moore
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 460 receptions, 6,565 yards, 29 TDs (+1 rushing)
The six-year player out of Maryland spent his first five years with the Panthers before joining the Bears last season. This unfortunate combination of impoverished franchises is the only explanation for why DJ Moore has not received a Pro Bowl nomination yet. With his hands and explosiveness off the line, it is only a matter of time before he breaks some serious records and earns some All-Pro nods.
Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow
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Career Highlights: No. 1 pick 2020 NFL Draft, 2021 Comeback Player of the Year, 14083 passing yards, 97 TD, 2022 Pro Bowl Selection
Boy did that transfer from Ohio State to LSU pan out. Burrow (or should we call him Burreaux?) went from being a college football afterthought to the most prolific QB in college football. In the process, he was the No. 1 overall pick. He then led the Bengals — yes, the Bengals — to the Super Bowl (where Cincinnati could’ve easily won). Burrow has the “it” factor many quarterbacks lack. It’s a quiet confidence radiating from himself to all of his teammates. The physical profile is there, yet it’s the moxie he brings to the table that makes him so special. Whenever Burrow is healthy and competing on the field, you’ve always got a puncher’s chance to win any ballgame.
Cleveland Browns — Myles Garrett
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Career Highlights: 3x All-Pro, 2023 DPOY, 5x Pro Bowl, 88.5 sacks
At 28 years old, Garrett still has yet to hit his ultimate ceiling as a pass-rushing dynamo. He has world-class athleticism — and often solely relied upon it in college. In the pros, Garrett needed to become a more complete player, and that’s exactly what he’s become. Coming off his first Defensive Player of the Year award, the most terrifying thing may be that he can still get even better. It’s a scary proposition to think about considering he’s on pace for 100 career sacks by the time he’s the age of 30. There’s plenty of elite football left for Garrett in what will be an illustrious career.
Dallas Cowboys — Zack Martin
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Career Highlights: 7x All-Pro, 9x Pro Bowl, All-2010s Team
Martin will be a Hall of Famer one day. He’s neck-and-neck with Quenton Nelson as being the top interior offensive lineman in the National Football League. Martin has been ridiculously consistent — making nine Pro Bowl appearances and seven First-team All-Pros in 10 seasons. When looking across this list rather thoroughly, Martin is probably one of the biggest slam dunk entries into Canton. He could retire tomorrow and still make the Hall of Fame (though Dallas fans certainly don’t want that to happen).
Denver Broncos — Pat Surtain II
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 7 INT 1 TD
Russ is out– and as the Broncos-loyal celebrate, we move on to the next likely candidate for the Hall of Fame. Pat Surtain II is only 3 years in to his career and he already has two Pro-Bowl selections and one All-Pro bid. He has been a standout corner since he entered the league in 2021. The former No. 9 overall pick is a lockdown defender with 7 interceptions to his name already. If the trend for this young stud continues, he could very well find his way into Canton.
Detroit Lions — Frank Ragnow
Career Highlights: 3x Pro Bowl, 2x Second-team All-Pro
Ragnow is as tough as nails, and you have to be as an interior offensive lineman raised in Minnesota and prepped in the SEC (at run-heavy Arkansas under OL guru Bret Bielema). The 27-year-old routinely grades out as one of the better centers in the league. He’s heady, quick, and quite violent with his hand placement. There’s still a ways to go before he’s Canton-bound. Ragnow has to start racking up some All-Pro honors. With that said, the talent is there to develop into a big-time player.
Green Bay Packers — Jordan Love
Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 4765 yards, 35 TD, 14 int, 274 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD
Love is looking quite a bit like his former predecessors much to the enjoyment of Packers fans. If the eye test is enough to convince you, the Packers could have their next Hall of Fame quarterback. The odds of having three in a row may seem low, but maybe the Packers just know how to pick ’em. In his first season starting, Love was able to lead the Packers to a 9-8 record and throw 32 TDs to 11 INT. Rookie QBs usually have some adjusting to do, and although he isn’t technically a rookie, the Packers have to be thrilled with his debut. Assuming he can maintain this same play for the next 10+ years, Love would certainly find himself in Canton.
Houston Texans — Laremy Tunsil
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Career Highlights: 4x Pro Bowl, No. 13 pick in 2016 NFL Draft
Tunsil falls into the category of a guy we ‘project’ to one day potentially be a member of the Hall of Fame. After a somewhat rocky beginning to his career off the field, he’s bounced back nicely. In the process, he’s reminded everyone why he was such a highly-rated OL in the process. Tunsil is as physically gifted as any tackle not named Trent Williams or Tristan Wirfs. At only 29 years of age, there’s plenty of time for him to rack up more Pro Bowl appearances and prove himself as one of the premier blind side protectors in today’s game.
Indianapolis Colts — Jonathan Taylor
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 2021 Rushing Leader, 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All Pro 4582 yards, 40 TD, 955 receiving yards, 4 receiving TD
Although plagued with an ankle injury in the latter half of the 2022 season and the beginning of the ’23 season, Taylor started to look like himself again in the second half of last season. The 2021 rushing leader has the skillset to be elite in this league for a long time if he can stay healthy. Taylor employs an explosive and elusive style of running and isn’t afraid to mow down defenders when they can make contact. Taylor suffered a thumb injury towards the end of the ’23 season but should be good to go before next year starts.
Jacksonville Jaguars — Brandon Scherff
Wesley Hitt/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 1x All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowl, No. 5 pick in 2015 NFL Draft
Scherff came into the league as a highly-touted interior lineman from the OL football factory that is Iowa. In what’s been a nine-year professional career up to this point, he’s made the Pro Bowl on five separate occasions (including one All-Pro honor). He doesn’t get a ton of appreciation — partly because of the position he plays, and also due to the fact he’s played in two smaller markets. Still, Scherff is tough as nails and likely has a few more Pro Bowl appearances left to earn.
Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Mahomes
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Career Highlights: 2x MVP, 2x All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowl, 3x Super Bowl winner, 3x Super Bowl MVP, 28,424 passing yards, 219 TD
Mahomes could retire today and would undoubtedly earn a spot in Canton. It’s crazy to think he’s 18 years younger than Tom Brady. In a league that caters more to quarterbacks than ever before, can you imagine the numbers Mahomes will put up (assuming he stays healthy) with at least 10-15 more years under his belt?! He certainly is on pace to challenge for the all-time marks in passing yards and Super Bowl titles. When factoring in his talent level and durability, it’d be a disappointment if he doesn’t finish #1 on at least one of those lists.
Las Vegas Raiders — Davante Adams
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 3x All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowl, 669 receptions, 10781 yards, 95 TD
While the Raiders seem interested in not throwing the ball to their future Hall of Famer, there is no doubt about Davante Adams’ talent. People want to forget that he is the best receiver in the league after he spent the last two seasons among the incompetent coaching staff and ownership of the Raiders. But let’s not forget that plenty of future Hall members followed the same course. Randy Moss had his stint with the Raiders, Marshawn Lynch had his. Hopefully, for Davante, the Raiders figure things out quickly or trade him to a team that knows how to utilize his immense talents.
Los Angeles Chargers — Khalil Mack
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 3x All-Pro, 8x Pro Bowl, 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, All-2010s Team
Speaking of the Raiders, here’s a former member of the Silver and Black who could be waltzing into Canton one day. Khalil Mack has been one of the league’s most feared defenders since entering the league in 2014. After an All-Pro performance in his sophomore season, Mack put it all together in Year 3 en route to earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was shockingly traded to the Chicago Bears two years later and finished second in DPOY voting in his first year with the club. Mack’s ability to equally play both the run and pass separates him from the typical edge rusher.
Los Angeles Rams — Aaron Donald
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Career Highlights: 8x All-Pro, 10x Pro Bowl, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 1x Super Bowl winner, All-2010s Team
A virtual lock for a spot in the Hall of Fame, Aaron Donald is simply adding to his legacy at this point. In ’22, Donald added the final piece to his extensive resume — a Super Bowl ring. He finished the game with 2.0 sacks and was unblockable for most of the night — much like he’s been for the majority of his career. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald has earned first-team All-Pro honors in eight of his 10 seasons. Arguably the best defensive tackle the game has ever seen, Donald has a solid chance to be recognized as the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
Miami Dolphins — Tyreek Hill
Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 5x All-Pro, 8x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl winner, All-2010s Team, 717 receptions, 10139 yards, 76 TD
The NFL has seen plenty of speedsters over the years. However, it’d be difficult to find a player who utilized their speed on the field as well as Tyreek Hill. Tyreek is continuing his game-breaking ability in Miami, where he consistently generates big plays for his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Hill forces defenses to change their game plan in a way that the league hasn’t seen since Randy Moss. A five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, Hill has accounted for 96 total touchdowns in just eight seasons, 40 of which have been on plays of 40 yards or more. He is a big play waiting to happen.
Minnesota Vikings — Justin Jefferson
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 1x All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowl, 2022 OPOY, 2022 Receiving Leader (128 receptions, 1809 yards)
One of the most exciting players in the NFL today, Jefferson is known for his big plays and his Griddy dance when he scores a touchdown. Despite up-and-down quarterback play, Jefferson continues to perform at an elite level despite only being in the league for four seasons. In his first three seasons, Jefferson was a Pro-Bowler, and if not for an injury costing him half of last season, he may have been a perfect four-for-four. The sky is the limit with a player this young and bolstering this much talent.
New England Patriots: Matt Judon
Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 4x Pro-Bowl
The Patriots had a sure-fire Hall of Famer under center for 20-plus years before Tom Brady decided to take his talents to Tampa Bay. Their now-former head coach/lead decision maker Bill Beilchick will one day earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for all he’s accomplished patrolling New England’s sideline. However, there aren’t a whole lot of current players who will get much of a look for a potential Hall of Fame spot. Though, edge rusher/LB Matt Judon seems most likely to take the mantle. Judon was on a four-year Pro-Bowl streak before tearing his biceps in game four of the ’23 season. In ’21 and ’22, he had double digit sack seasons at 15.5 and 12.5, respectively. In 2023, Judon already had 4.0 sacks and 1 safety in his less than 4 games. Judon was trending in the right direction, but with torn biceps at age 31, he is going to need a strong recovery and a quick return to his former upward trend if he has any shot of getting the call to Canton one day.
New Orleans Saints — Tyrann Mathieu
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 3x All-Pro 3x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl winner, All-2010s Team, 33 INT, 4 TD
Tyrann Mathieu has quietly built a strong case for Hall of Fame consideration. The former LSU Tiger is a Swiss army knife in his ability to fill multiple roles. He plays with an edge and flies around the field making plays at every level. After a quiet end to his Cardinals tenure, and a one-year stint with the Texans, Mathieu regained his groove with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He helped revitalize a struggling group. In the three seasons, Mathieu was in KC, the defense finished in the top 10 in scoring each year. Now a member of the New Orleans Saints, if Mathieu can secure a few more All-Pro nods, he’d be tough to keep out of the Hall of Fame.
New York Giants — Dexter Lawrence II
Al Bello/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, 21 sacks, No. 17 pick in 2019 NFL Draft
Full disclosure, finding a current Giant worthy of Hall of Fame recognition is difficult. At one point, it seemed like Saquon Barkley was destined to become one of the most dynamic backs the league had ever seen. Injuries have slowed down the former Penn State standout. Looking elsewhere, we turn to Dexter Lawrence as a potential candidate. Lawrence entered the league as an edge rusher who didn’t make much of a mark. However, once he moved to nose tackle, he has made the Pro-Bowl (and Second-team All-Pro) each of the last two seasons and seems to have found his stride. Maybe this momentum can continue for the young defensive lineman.
New York Jets — Aaron Rodgers
Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 4x MVP, 4x All-Pro, 10x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl winner, SB XLV MVP, All-2010s Team, 55,360 passing yards, 449 TD, 93 INT
He hasn’t done anything for the Jets yet. And you could quibble about the singular Super Bowl win. With all of that said, the California native is a top-five QB of all-time. The ball flies out of Rodgers’ hand with ridiculous power. He’s able to manipulate the spin and direction of any throw with a simple flick of the wrist. He’s one of the few where every throw on the field can be made with not only precision, but most impressively force. Simply put, Rodgers will go down as an all-time great.
Philadelphia Eagles — Lane Johnson
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 2x All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl winner
With the departing of Jason Kelce, we look to another cog in the machine of Philly’s dominant offensive line to be worthy of a Hall of Fame spot. And that would undoubtedly be Lane Johnson. Since getting drafted by the Eagles in 2013, Johnson has been side by side with Kelce (2011) bolstering one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. Johnson and Kelce earned their first All-Pro nod in the same year (2017) which is also the year the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Since then, Johnson has captured four more Pro-Bowl selections and another All-Pro bid in ’22. In his 11 year career it seems he has only gotten better and will continue to add to his resume as the longevity of lineman in the NFL tends to be quite high. If Lane Johnson keeps his quality of play up to the standard it has been without Kelce in the lineup, he may get his own call to Canton when his time is up.
Pittsburgh Steelers — T.J. Watt
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Career Highlights: 4x All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowl, 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, 96.5 sacks
Speaking of the Watt’s, 29-year-old T.J. is slowly building up his case. Looking back on it, it’s puzzling how the Steelers were able to scoop up Watt with the 30th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Considering older brother J.J. had already collected three Defensive Player of the Year trophies by then, one would think a team would have taken a shot on T.J. earlier in the draft. The league’s premier edge rusher has made the teams who skipped him pay time and time again. He’s coming off a sensational 19.0-sack season and has been named an All-Pro four of the last five years (missed seven games in ’22). A few more years of this kind of production, and T.J. will one day join J.J. in Canton.
San Francisco 49ers — Trent Williams
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 3x All-Pro, 11x Pro Bowl
Trent Williams is certainly an interesting case for Hall of Fame consideration. For one, his career isn’t quite as linear as many other candidates. The 35-year-old is arguably playing his best ball right now. He earned his first All-Pro first-team distinction in 2021 — in his 11th season. And now he has three All-Pro seasons in a row. He likely would have accumulated even more by now if his career didn’t run parallel to guys like Joe Thomas, Jason Peters, and Tyron Smith. Nine Pro Bowl nods certainly helps, but he’ll need at least one or two more All-Pro recognitions to solidify his spot. With the way he’s played recently, that is certainly in the cards.
Seattle Seahawks — D.K. Metcalf
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Career Highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, 372 receptions, 5332 yards, 43 TD
If there was a Hall of Fame for pure athleticism, D.K. Metcalf would be first ballot. In terms of production, he’s got a long way to go. Metcalf is a specimen, boasting elite speed, size, and strength. He looks like a bodybuilder on the field with the burst and stride of an Olympic sprinter. Year 2 with the Seahawks had the look of a player who would one day be among the league’s best. In ’20, Metcalf caught 83 passes for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns. He notched 12 more scores the following season but saw a dip in receptions (75) and yardage (967) as a result of an unhealthy Russell Wilson. In 2023, Metcalf returned to the Pro-Bowl after a two-year drought. The sky remains the limit for the 26-year-old, but there is certainly work to be done.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mike Evans
Richard Rodriguez/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: Super Bowl LV Winner, 5x Pro Bowl, 762 receptions, 11680 yards, 94 TD
Evans has seen the full gambit of quarterbacks on his team, but his proficiency never changes. His team could be headed toward last in the division or in contention for the Super Bowl and Evans will play his heart out either way. He has incredible hands, makes ridiculous circus catches, and fights hard for yards after the catch. His aggressive style of offense and indelible drive make his coaches and teammates love him. When his time is up, Evans will be a sure contender for the Hall.
Tennessee Titans — Derrick Henry
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY SportsCareer Highlights: 1x All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl, 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, 2x NFL Leading rusher, 9502 rushing yards, 90 TD, (2027 yards and 17 TD in 2020)
Derrick Henry at his peak is undoubtedly a Hall of Fame-caliber talent. His 2020 campaign alone is proof of this. The Titans rode their 6-foot-3, 250-pound back to a playoff berth. Henry had one of the great seasons for a running back in recent memory, accruing 2,027 rushing yards (126.7 YPG) and 17 touchdowns. Despite only playing eight games in ’21, Henry bounced back and returned to the Pro-Bowl the last two seasons, breaking the 1,000-yard mark both times (1,538, 1,167). The issue is Henry is already 30 years old — geriatric for a running back in today’s game — and will need a few more years of this level of production to make a strong case. He’ll need to stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level for a shot.
Washington Commanders — Daron Payne
Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesCareer Highlights: 1x Pro Bowl, 30.0 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 13th overall pick in 2018 NFL Draft
The Commanders enter a new era without a clear superstar talent on its roster. Though, former No. 13 pick Daron Payne does certainly have the look of a potentially elite talent. His best year was in 2022 when he put up 11.5 sacks and got a nod to the Pro Bowl. Although he took a step back last year in sacks, his other stats have remained consistent and he should be a key feature of this Commanders team as they continue to rebuild.
