Each AFC Team's Most Deserving Hall of Fame Candidate

It's the AFC's turn. Here's a look at a deserving Hall of Fame candidate from each AFC Team.

Baltimore Ravens

Ed Reed, S
He's a Hall of Famer in 2019. Simple as that. 

Cleveland Browns

Mac Speedie, WR
I feel like the voters are punishing Mac Speedie for playing in the All-America Football Conference and the CFL. That's the only thing can explain his absence from the Hall of Fame. He was one of the best receivers in the AAFC. He led the league in receptions four of his seven seasons in the AAFC and NFL. He was the receiving yards leader twice. He was All-Pro three of his four years in the AAFC. He made the Pro Bowl two of his three seasons in the NFL. He should be in the Hall of Fame. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Ken Riley, CB

The Bengals have three deserving Hall candidates from the 1970s and 1980s. Cornerbacks Ken Riley and Lemar Parrish and quarterback Ken Anderson. If the voters do tackle the deserving Bengals players, I'd bet that Anderson gets their attention first. Quarterbacks always get attention first. Anderson's deserving but Riley was one of the best corners of his era.

Pittsburgh Steelers

L.C. Greenwood, DE

One of the best defenses in the history of the league has four players in the Hall of Fame. L.C. Greenwood should be the fifth. That Steel Curtain defense wasn't just about Mean Joe, the two Jacks at linebacker, and Mel Blount. 

New York Jets

Larry Grantham, LB

I feel like the voters have had some animosity towards players from the AFL days. Look how long it took to get movement on Johnny Robinson. Larry Grantham was one of the best linebackers to play in the AFL. 

New England Patriots

Stanley Morgan, WR

Stanley Morgan was one of the best deep threats the NFL has ever seen. From 1979-81, he averaged over 22 yards per catch. Who does that? By today's passing standards Morgan's numbers pale in comparison (other than that 22 yards per catch) but they are ridiculous for the time in which he played. 

Buffalo Bills

Tom Sestak, DT

Another AFL player that hasn't received deserving Hall of Fame attention. The Bills had one of the best defenses in the pass-happy, wide-open league. Tom Sestak was a big reason for that. He controlled the line of scrimmage. 

Miami Dolphins

Bob Kuchenberg, G

This choice came down to a couple Dolphins from their Super Bowl-winning days. Bob Kuchenberg and safety Jake Scott. The Dolphins played in three Super Bowls, winning two, in the early 1970s with an imposing rushing attack. Center Jim Langer and guard Larry Little are in the Hall of Fame. A case can be made for Kuchenberg to join them. 

Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts

Mike Curtis, LB

The Colts have a few candidates. Fullback Alan Ameche, corner Bobby Boyd, and Mike Curtis. I went with Curtis simply because of the way an imposing Colts defense took on his fiery personality. He was one of the best middle linebackers in the league in an era of some great middle linebackers. Butkus, Nitschke, Nobis, Buoniconti.

Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers

Charley Hennigan, WR

The numbers that Charley Hennigan put up in the early 1960s were ridiculous. 

1961: 82 catches, 1746 yards, 21.3 yards/catch, 12 TDs

1964: 101 catches, 1546 yards, 15.3 yards/catch, 8 TDs.

No one did that in the 1960s. His play helped lead the Oilers to the first two AFL titles. 

Houston Texans

Is it too early to consider J.J. Watt for the Hall of Fame?

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tony Boselli, T

It feels like Tony Boselli is going to be part of one of the next couple Hall classes. He'd be in already if injuries hadn't shortened his career. He was the best tackle in the league for most his career. 

Denver Broncos

Randy Gradishar, LB

The Broncos have a few deserving candidates. Defensive end Rich Jackson, and linebackers Randy Gradishar and Karl Mecklenburg. I actually liked Mecklenburg better than Gradishar. I thought that he was the more versatile defender. He could cover, roam sideline to sideline, and rush the quarterback. Gradishar might've made a slightly greater impact. The individual honors are mostly a push. Gradishar took home an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and gets the nod here for it as well as the fact that he's been waiting longer.

Oakland Raiders

Lester Hayes, CB

It's a coin flip between Lester Hayes and receiver Cliff Branch. Both were among the best in the league at their respective positions and both are deserving of Hall of Fame discussion. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Tony Gonzalez, TE

He'll be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Don Coryell, Head Coach

I would've thought that Don Coryell would be in the Hall already. He did as much for the advancement of the passing game in the NFL as nearly any coach. Not getting his high-flying Chargers into a Super Bowl hurts.