When did the new Pro Football Hall of Fame Class become the old Class before their busts molded and jackets fitted? The modern-era members of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class were announced a week ago and discussion has already turned to who's next? I guess that it's further proof of our puppy-like attention span. Rather than taking a stand I guess that I'm following the flock and looking at the players that will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the coming years.
Class of 2021
Jared Allen
Steven Jackson
Calvin Johnson
Logan Mankins
Peyton Manning
Jerod Mayo
Heath Miller
Charles Tillman
Justin Tuck
Michael Vick
Wes Welker
Kevin Williams
Charles Woodson
There are a couple players on this list that might already be fitted for that spiffy gold jacket. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson were Heisman finalists together. They were in the same draft class. They should be in the same Hall of Fame Class. And it's the first Class for which they are eligible. I wouldn't be surprised if the voters allow Calvin Johnson to join them. For me, he was without question a first ballot Hall of Fame talent but I'm not so sure that he played to that level often enough. I'd like to see Jared Allen make it. He had a Hall of Fame career but I think that career was a tick below what it takes to make it in his first year. I also thought that about Jason Taylor and he made it in his first year. So, you never know. The voters are an unpredictable bunch. I can see Charles Tillman and Kevin Williams eventually making their way to Canton.
Class of 2022
Anquan Blodin
Chad Greenway
Andre Johnson
Mario Williams
Tony Romo
Robert Mathis
Steve Smith Sr.
DeMarcus Ware
Vince Wilfork
DeMarcus Ware, Steve Smith Sr., and Andre Johnson top this group of first-year eligibles. Personally, I see Jared Allen in his second year of eligibility as more deserving than Ware in his first. But that's just me. Smith, Johnson, and Anquan Boldin join a receiver queue that's again growing into a problem. There's a similar problem with edge rushers. Allen, Ware, Justin Tuck, Mario Williams, Robert Mathis are all deserving of consideration. With no clear-cut first ballot players, this year could be a good year to get in some of the players that have been waiting a while.
Class of 2023
NaVorro Bowman
Kam Chancellor
Antonio Cromartie
Elvis Dumervil
Dwight Freeney
James Harrison
Devin Hester
Shane Lechler
Nick Mangold
DeMarco Murray
Carson Palmer
Darrelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Darrelle Revis and Joe Thomas are in. An argument can be made for Devin Hester. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, he scared the hell out of me. No returner has ever worried me more. Dwight Freeney and James Harrison find a place in the growing edge rusher line. I always thought that NaVorro Bowman was a terrific player. If teammate Patrick Willis isn't even a finalist in his first year of eligibility, I'm not sure that Bowman makes it very far.
Class of 2024
Antonio Gates
Jamaal Charles
Rob Gronkowski
Chris Long
Andrew Luck
Sebastian Janikowski
Jordy Nelson
Haloti Ngata
Julius Peppers
Jonathan Stewart
Max Unger
Kyle Williams
Rob Gronkowski is in. Antonio Gates could make it a two tight end Class. Julius Peppers jumps to the front of that edge rusher line. If Gronkowski has a first ballot classmate, Peppers is the one. Andrew was playing his way into Canton but he retired a few years short of making it.
Class of 2025
Lorenzo Alexander
Vernon Davis
Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Eric Weddle
Luke Kuechly is in. I don't care if he didn't have a 15-year career. He was the best in the game at his position from his first season. The Eli Manning Hall of Fame argument has already started. He might not make it in 2025 but it shouldn't be too longer after that.
I think that the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters need to refine their standards for first ballot Hall of Famers. When a player is presented for discussion in their first year of eligibility there should be zero doubts about their candidacy for the Hall. If there's the slightest hesitation, that player shouldn't be inducted on the first ballot. As it appears to be now, every player that had a really good career is ushered through the door. First ballot induction should be reserved for the players that had truly great careers. First ballot induction has to be special again. If it ever really was.
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