Who’s next? My predictions for the next 5 Pro Football Hall of Fame Classes.

Finally, the last few years the Hall of Fame has been starting to get it right. They’ve put in a slew of players who have done too much to wait as long as they had. It seems as though the Centennial Class was the turning point on many issues HOF voters had struggled with: Players who didn’t win but had the stats and accolades, Players with shortened careers, and the never ending Special Teamer debate.

Recently, the voters have gotten it right and the current HOF voting platform of 1 contributor, 1 coach, 1 senior nominee and 5 modern era nominees seems to be the a good mixture to breakdown the ridiculous waiting list for the greatest fraternity in sports. Albeit, I’d prefer 1 coach/contributor and 2 senior nominees.

That being said, let’s dive into what I expect to happen in the next 5 years based on the new precedent the hall has now set:

The Class of 2023:

Senior (1):
-Kenny Anderson Quarterback Cinncinati Bengals (1971-1986) 4 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 1981 MVP, 1981 OPOY, 1981 CPOY, and 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Contributor (1):
-Bucko Kilroy Scout Philadelphia Eagles (1960-1961) Washington Redskins (1962-1964) Dallas Cowboys (1965-1970) Executive New England Patriots (Various Positions 1971-2006) AS A PLAYER: Guard, Offensive Tackle, Defensive Tackle Philadelphia Eagles (1943-1955) 3 Pro Bowls, 2 NFL Championships, HOF All-1940s Team.

Coach (1):
-Don Coryell Head Coach St. Louis Cardinals (1973-1977) San Diego Chargers (1978-1986) 1974 Coach of the Year.

Modern Era (5):
-FIRST BALLOT: Darrelle Revis Cornerback New York Jets (2007-2012, 2015-2016) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013) New England Patriots (2014) Kansas City Chiefs (2017) 7 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pros, 1 Super Bowl, HOF All-2010s Team.
-FIRST BALLOT: Joe Thomas Offensive Tackle Cleveland Browns (2007-2017) 10 Pro Bowls, 6 All-Pros, HOF All-2010s Team.
-Patrick Willis Inside Linebacker San Francisco 49ers (2007-2014) 7 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pros, 2007 DROY, HOF All-2010s Team.
-DeMarcus Ware Outside Linebacker Dallas Cowboys (2005-2013) Denver Broncos (2014-2016) 9 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pros, 1 Super Bowl, HOF All-2000s Team.
-Torry Holt Wide Receiver St. Louis Rams (1999-2008) Jacksonville Jaguars (2009) 7 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 1 Super Bowl, HOF All-2000s Team.

The Class of 2024: 

Senior (1):
-Randy Gradishar Inside Linebacker Denver Broncos (1974-1983) 7 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, and 1978 DPOY.

Contributor (1):
-Ralph Hay Owner Canton Bulldogs (1918-1922) Founder NFL (Organized first meeting of teams to form the APFA which became the NFL).

Coach (1):
-Mike Holmgren Head Coach Green Bay Packers (1992-1998) Seattle Seahawks (1999-2008) 1 Super Bowl.

Modern Era (5):
-FIRST BALLOT: Julius Peppers Defensive End Carolina Panthers (2002-2009, 2017-2018) Chicago Bears (2010-2013) Green Bay Packers (2014-2016) 9 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, 2002 DROY, HOF All-2000s Team, HOF All-2010s Team.
-Devin Hester Returner Chicago Bears (2006-2013) Atlanta Falcons (2014-2015) Baltimore Ravens (2016) 4 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, HOF All-2000s Team, HOF All-2010s Team.
-Reggie Wayne Wide Receiver Indianapolis Colts (2001-2014) 6 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 1 Super Bowl.
-Zach Thomas Inside Linebacker Miami Dolphins (1996-2007) Dallas Cowboys (2008) 7 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pros, HOF All-2000s Team.
-Dwight Freeney Defensive End Indianapolis Colts (2002-2012) San Diego Chargers (2013-2014) Arizona Cardinals (2015) Atlanta Falcons (2016) Detroit Lions (2017) Seattle Seahawks (2017) 7 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, 1 Super Bowl, HOF All-2000s Team.

The Class of 2025:

Senior (1):
-Roger Craig Running Back San Francisco 49ers (1983-1990) Los Angeles Raiders (1991) Minnesota Vikings (1992-1993) 4 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 1988 OPOY, 3 Super Bowls, HOF All-1980s Team. 

Contributor (1):
-Robert Kraft Owner New England Patriots (1994-Present) 6 Super Bowls.

Coach (1):
-Tom Coughlin Head Coach Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2002) New York Giants (2004-2015) 2 Super Bowls.

Modern Era (5):
-Antonio Gates Tight End San Diego Chargers (2003-2018) 8 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, HOF All-2000s Team.
-Jared Allen Defensive End Kansas City Chiefs (2004-2007) Minnesota Vikings (2008-2013) Chicago Bears (2014-2015) Carolina Panthers (2015) 5 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pros.
-Andre Johnson Wide Receiver Houston Texans (2003-2014) Indianapolis Colts (2015) Tennessee Titans (2016) 7 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros.
-Ronde Barber Cornerback Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-2012) 5 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, 1 Super Bowl, HOF All-2000s Team.
-Jeff Saturday Center Indianapolis Colts (1999-2011) Green Bay Packers (2012) 6 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, 1 Super Bowl.

 The Class of 2026:

Senior (1):
-L.C. Greenwood Defensive End Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981) 6 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, 4 Super Bowls, HOF All-1970s Team.

Contributor (1):
-Jack Vainisi Scout and Personnel Director Green Bay Packers (1950-1960)

Coach (1):
-Marty Schottenheimer Head Coach Cleveland Browns (1984-1988) Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1998) Washington Redskins (2001) San Diego Chargers (2002-2006) 2004 Coach of The Year.

Modern Era (5):
-FIRST BALLOT: Drew Brees Quarterback San Diego Chargers (2001-2005) New Orleans Saints (2006-2020) 13 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 2004 CPOY, 2008 & 2011 OPOY, 2006 Walter Payton Man of The Year, 1 Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIV MVP.
-FIRST BALLOT: Larry Fitzgerald Wide Receiver Arizona Cardinals (2004-2020) 11 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 2016 Walter Payton Man of The Year, HOF All-2010sTeam.
-Eli Manning Quarterback New York Giants (2004-2019) 4 Pro Bowls, 2016 Walter Payton Man of The Year, 2 Super Bowls, 2 Super Bowl MVPs.
-Terrell Suggs Outside Linebacker Baltimore Ravens (2003-2018) Arizona Cardinals (2019) Kansas City Chiefs (2019) 7 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 2003 DROY, 2011 DPOY, 2 Super Bowls.
-Adam Vinatieri Kicker New England Patriots (1996-2005) Indianapolis Colts (2006-2019) 3 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, 4 Super Bowls, HOF All-2000s Team.

The Class of 2027:

Senior (1):
-Lester Hayes Cornerback Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1977-1986) 5 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 1980 DPOY, 2 Super Bowls, HOF All-1980s Team.

Contributor (1): 
-FIRST BALLOT: Kevin Colbert General Manager Pittsburgh Steelers (2000-2021) 2 Super Bowls.

Coach (1):
-Chuck Knox Head Coach Los Angeles Rams (1973-1977, 1992-1994) Buffalo Bills (1978-1982) Seattle Seahawks (1983-1991) 1973, 1980, 1984 Coach of the Year.

Modern Era (5):
-FIRST BALLOT: Tom Brady Quarterback New England Patriots (2000-2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2021) 15 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, 2009 CPOY, 2007 & 2010 OPOY, 2007 & 2010 & 2017 MVP, 7 Super Bowls, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, HOF All-2000s Team, HOF All-2010s Team.
-FIRST BALLOT: Ben Roethlisberger Quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers (2004-2021) 6 Pro Bowls, 2004 OROY, 2 Super Bowls.
-Steve Smith Wide Receiver Carolina Panthers (2001-2013) Baltimore Ravens (2014-2016) 5 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, 2005 CPOY.
-Luke Kuechly Inside Linebacker Carolina Panthers (2012-2019) 7 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pros, 2012 DROY, 2013 DPOY, HOF All-2010s Team.
-Jason Witten Tight End Dallas Cowboys (2003-2017, 2019) Las Vegas Raiders (2020) 11 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, 2012 Walter Payton Man of The Year.

Final Notes: There’s a few key things I want to mention before signing my name on this article:

1. I think the lack of special teamers in the hall is atrocious and luckily that’s begun to change with Ray Guy and Morten Andersen. Sadly, it’s still going at a snail’s pace but I expect names as big as Vinatieri and Hester to have a short wait now. Ray Guy should’ve been in quick as should Shane Lechler, but unfortunately I think he’ll have to wait 5 to 10 years. Punter just isn’t flashy, that being said he WILL go in. I wish as much could be said for Steve Tasker but hopefully he’ll have a shot as a senior down the road.
2. I want to highlight the other key HOF issue as well, 1 Senior per year. This should really be brought back to 2 as we’ve seen in years past. The list of deserving players is ridiculous, every senior on this list should’ve been in long ago. I expect to be wrong on a few of my senior picks due to the huge pile up of qualified candidates but the other top names to watch are Tommy Nobis, Joe Fortunato, Joe Jacoby,  Sterling Sharpe, Joey Browner, Clay Matthews, and many more.

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