Each NFL player strives to have their name enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. For many current players, the reality of receiving one of the most prestigious honors in professional sports is implausible.
Yet, for a select few, that honor is certainly attainable. While the Pro Football Hall of Fame currently has just 371 members, several current players could join that exclusive club in the future.
Many deserving retired players are waiting to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Their wait could become even longer, too, depending on when several current players hang up the cleats. Here is one potential Hall of Famer on each team in the NFL right now.
NFL Players Most Likely To Make the Hall of Fame
Arizona Cardinals: Budda Baker
Despite playing just seven NFL seasons, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has built up quite a résumé. Baker has already earned six trips to the Pro Bowl, while also being named an All-Pro three times. At just 28 years old, he’s established himself as a top safety in the league with the potential to create a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins
Despite not becoming a full-time starting quarterback until his fourth season in the NFL, Kirk Cousins is among the greats statistically. He’s currently 24th all-time in career passing yards, ahead of several Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Cousins is also 20th all-time in career passing touchdowns, trailing the great Joe Montana by just three scores.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the best dual-threat quarterback of all time. Jackson has already won two MVP awards and received two first-team All-Pro selections.
The 27-year-old should easily crack the all-time rushing yards record at the position, while continuing to take massive leaps forward as a passer.
Buffalo Bills: Von Miller
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller could retire right now and be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and has a Super Bowl MVP to his name, which is even more impressive as a defensive player.
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Miller is also a seven-time All-Pro with eight trips to the Pro Bowl. He’s currently 27th in NFL history with 123.5 total sacks.
Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown
The Carolina Panthers are a young team with plenty of promising talent. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown has posted some eye-opening numbers to start his NFL career, which makes him a potential Hall of Famer way, way down the road.
Despite playing DT, Brown recorded 103 total tackles and seven tackles for loss in 2023.
Chicago Bears: Keenan Allen
Following his departure from the Los Angeles Chargers, Keenan Allen represents the most likely current Hall of Fame candidate for the Chicago Bears. Allen is 26th all-time in total receptions, trailing Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce by just three receptions.
Allen has earned six trips to the Pro Bowl and should flourish for a few years in Chicago.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has more than lived up to the hype in the NFL. He’s eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his first three seasons and is on the early path to Canton, given his elite level of play for the Bengals.
Chase is on pace to become one of the all-time great wide receivers, in part thanks to his chemistry with Joe Burrow.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett
Following an inconsistent start to his NFL career, Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Garrett has been named an All-Pro in five of his seven seasons and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Dallas Cowboys: Zack Martin
Many believed Zack Martin would be a Pro Bowl-caliber NFL guard, but he’s far exceeded expectations with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin has developed into one of the best guards in league history and has been named an All-Pro in nine of 10 professional seasons.
When Martin retires, he likely won’t have to wait long before making a trip to Canton.
Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II
While the Denver Broncos are embracing a rebuild, there is one potential Hall of Fame-caliber player sitting on the team’s roster.
Despite playing one of the toughest positions to succeed at early in the NFL, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is off to a hot start. In his first three seasons, Surtain is a two-time Pro Bowler and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell
Similar to Surtain, Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell has earned several notable accolades despite only playing three NFL seasons. Sewell has emerged as the best right tackle in the league, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023.
At just 23 years old, Sewell could certainly be enshrined in the Hall of Fame someday.
Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark
Although the Green Bay Packers are loaded with young talent, it’s hard to pinpoint a potential Hall of Fame candidate. One candidate, 28-year-old DT Kenny Clark, has earned three trips to the Pro Bowl and continues to put up respectable sack totals. While it’s unlikely that he’ll be enshrined in Canton, Clark could be Green Bay’s best option.
Houston Texans: Stefon Diggs
Once Stefon Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills, his NFL career went to another level. Now he’ll be looking to take another leap after being traded to the Houston Texans.
With C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Diggs could potentially play at an even higher level and continue climbing up the all-time WR ranks.
Indianapolis Colts: Joe Flacco
The Indianapolis Colts are loaded with intriguing, young talent, but veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco sticks out as an obvious candidate. Flacco is 18th all-time in total passing yards and 28th in total passing touchdowns.
Given that he won the Super Bowl with the Ravens — while also being named the game’s MVP — Flacco has a surprisingly strong case to make the Hall of Fame.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff
There isn’t exactly a long list of potential Hall of Fame players on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Veteran offensive lineman Brandon Scherff might have the best résumé, given that he’s made five trips to the Pro Bowl. Scherff was also named a first-team All-Pro in 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
There isn’t a more obvious name on this list than Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Very few players in NFL history could retire at 28 years old and become a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but that’s exactly what Mahomes could do if he wanted to.
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In just six seasons as the Chiefs’ full-time starter, Mahomes has won three Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVP awards. He’s also been named MVP twice and made six trips to the Pro Bowl.
Mahomes has a legitimate chance to go down as the greatest player in NFL history.
Las Vegas Raiders: Davante Adams
Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams has a strong case to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. Adams is 12th in NFL history with 95 receiving touchdowns, he’s a three-time first-team All-Pro, and has made six trips to the Pro Bowl.
At 31 years old, Adams has more time to add to his potential Hall of Fame-worthy résumé.
Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack
Just when it seemed like Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack was slowing down, he reached a career high in sacks at 32 years old. Mack is an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro. He was also named DPOY in 2016.
Mack has built up quite a résumé and is getting better as he ages.
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford was quietly building a Hall of Fame-caliber résumé with the Lions. Once he was traded to the Rams, Stafford won the Super Bowl and established himself as an eventual Hall of Famer.
Stafford is 11th all-time in both total passing yards and total passing touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins: Tyreek Hill
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will likely go down as the greatest deep threat in league history.
Hill is a threat to score every time he touches the football, and he has now dominated for two different teams. The 30-year-old has won a Super Bowl, while also being an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro.
Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson
Similar to Chase, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is off to an absurd start to his NFL career. Despite playing just four seasons, Jefferson already has nearly 6,000 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns. Even in his “down year,” Jefferson crossed the 1,000-yard mark, despite playing just 10 games.
New England Patriots: Matthew Judon
The New England Patriots are lacking a legitimate potential Hall of Fame-caliber talent on their current roster. Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon, however, likely represents the closest thing to a Canton-bound player, thanks to his four trips to the Pro Bowl.
New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan
As New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan nears the end of his career, he’s put together a legitimate Hall of Fame résumé. Jordan is an eight-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and currently ranks 23rd all-time in total sacks. He ranks ahead of players such as J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald on that list.
New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence
Given that the New York Giants are embracing a youth movement, there aren’t any solidified Hall of Fame candidates on the current roster. Still, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is an intriguing option.
At 26 years old, “Sexy Dexy” is a two-time All-Pro who is becoming one of the best defensive interior threats in the NFL.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers
Similar to Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers is a lock to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame once he retires. Rodgers is currently fifth all-time in passing touchdowns and ninth in yards. The four-time NFL MVP has all of the accolades and more to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer once he calls it a career.
Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson
Following the retirement of both Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson is next in line to become a Hall of Famer. Johnson held the title of best right tackle in the NFL for several years before being unseated by Sewell in 2023. Regardless, Johnson is a four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl ring on his hand.
Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt
Although Russell Wilson is certainly worth mentioning, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is putting together an absurd career.
In just seven seasons with the Steelers, Watt has totaled 96.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, while also being a five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler.
San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams somehow ages like a fine wine while playing such a physical position. Despite being 35 years old, Williams is still regarded as the best offensive tackle in the NFL.
Williams has earned 11 trips to the Pro Bowl and four All-Pro nods. If the Niners can manage to win the Super Bowl, it could be the cherry on top of his Hall of Fame career.
Seattle Seahawks: DK Metcalf
The Seattle Seahawks lack a clear-cut Hall of Fame option on the current roster. Therefore, 26-year-old WR DK Metcalf represents the best Hall of Fame chance in Seattle.
Metcalf has eclipsed the 900-yard receiving mark in each of his first five NFL seasons while also earning two trips to the Pro Bowl.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is one of the most underappreciated players in NFL history. Since arriving in 2014, he’s been the definition of consistency at the position.
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Evans has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in all 10 seasons of his career. He’s 13th all-time in receiving yards and should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he retires.
Tennessee Titans: DeAndre Hopkins
While the last few seasons have hindered his Hall of Fame case, Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a strong résumé. Hopkins is 23rd all-time in receiving yards and 35th in touchdowns. He’s also made five trips to the Pro Bowl and is a five-time All-Pro.
Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner
Although Bobby Wagner just joined the Washington Commanders, he’s easily the best Hall of Fame candidate on the team’s roster. Wagner has put together a Hall of Fame résumé, including a Super Bowl title with the Seahawks. The 34-year-old linebacker is a 10-time All-Pro with nine trips to the Pro Bowl.