Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Semifinalists

26 modern-era players were named as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The list includes seven players in their first year of eligibility and 17 players who were semifinalists for the Class of 2021.

The 26 semifinalists will be whittled to 15 finalists before the final voting. The selection of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will take place during the week that ends with Super Bowl LVI. 

26 Modern-era Semifinalists

Eric Allen

Jared Allen

Willie Anderson

Ronde Barber

Anquan Boldin

Tony Boselli

LeRoy Butler

Eddie George

Devin Hester

Torry Holt

Andre Johnson

Robert Mathis

Sam Mills

Richard Seymour

Steve Smith

Steve Tasker

Fred Taylor

Zach Thomas

Hines Ward

DeMarcus Ware

Ricky Watters

Reggie Wayne

Vince Wilfork

Patrick Willis

Darren Woodson

Bryant Young

First-year Eligibles

Anquan Boldin

Devin Hester

Andre Johnson

Robert Mathis

Steve Smith

DeMarcus Ware

Vince Wilfork

2021 Semifinalists

Eric Allen

Jared Allen

Willie Anderson

Ronde Barber

Tony Boselli

LeRoy Butler

Torry Holt

Sam Mills

Richard Seymour

Steve Tasker

Fred Taylor

Zach Thomas

Hines Ward

Reggie Wayne

Patrick Willis

Darren Woodson

Bryant Young

Semifinalists Breakdown

Defense-13

-5 defensive linemen

-4 linebackers

-4 defensive backs

Offense-11

-3 running backs

-6 receivers

-2 offensive linemen

Special Teams-2

My stab at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022:

DeMarcus Ware

Tony Boselli

Torry Holt

Richard Seymour

Jared Allen

I find this Class difficult to predict. DeMarcus Ware is the only first-year eligible that I see making it. Considering the voters fondness for jamming through players in their first year, at least Steve Smith will probably join him. The receiver queue is getting long. He should join it rather than jump it. Smith is one of my favorite receivers of his era but he should wait a year or two. Cris Carter had to wait six long years. Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, and Hines Ward have been waiting. At least one of those waits should end. I have Holt making it partly, if not mostly, because he’s been waiting the longest of the deserving receivers. I thought that Tony Boselli would make it years ago. For a handful of years he was arguably the best offensive tackle in the league. A few of his tackle peers have been in Canton for years. Richard Seymour’s five-year wait should end. I have Jared Allen making it in his second year but I could see another receiver, LeRoy Butler, Ronde Barber, or Patrick Willis bumping him. 

The Class that I see the voters selecting:

DeMarcus Ware

Steve Smith

Devin Hester

Torry Holt

LeRoy Butler

Congratulations and good luck to the 26 modern-era semifinalists.