With the 2020 and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame classes being inducted this offseason, who are the future Hall of Famers currently on all 32 NFL franchises? While some of these players have many years left in the league, their probability of joining the Hall of Fame looks bright. So, which players could see their face enshrined in Canton, Ohio?
Future NFL Hall of Famers on all 32 teams | AFC
The Baltimore Ravens kick off the list with a…kicker (ba-dum-tss).
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Tucker, K
Although the Ravens have a couple of players who could push for a Hall of Fame bid, none have a better case than Justin Tucker. While kickers normally don’t receive attention until they misfire, Tucker is renowned across the league as one of the best to do it. According to Pro Football Reference, he has nailed an astonishing 90.7% of his field goals, the highest rate in a career since 1938.
Buffalo Bills: Stefon Diggs, WR
In six seasons in the NFL, Stefon Diggs has accumulated 492 receptions for 6,158 yards and 38 touchdowns. Yet, he will have to maintain his 1,000-yard per season average and reel in more touchdowns to improve his probability of one day joining the Hall of Fame. But if Josh Allen continues to progress, Diggs could put up massive numbers in Buffalo.
Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates III, S
Jessie Bates is only 24 years old, but he is already one of the best safeties in the NFL. He has recorded 100+ tackles and 3 interceptions every season since entering the league in 2018. If Bates can continue to produce to that level, he will be a lock for the Hall of Fame.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, EDGE
At 6’4″ and 272 pounds, Myles Garrett should not be able to move the way he does. In four years, he has generated 42 tackles for loss, 42.5 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. Furthermore, he has totaled 10+ tackles for loss and 10+ sacks in each of the last three years. Garrett is on pace for the Hall of Fame, and on a loaded Cleveland defense, he could be in for his most dominant year yet.
Denver Broncos: Von Miller, EDGE
Nine outside linebackers have amassed 100+ sacks in their NFL careers. Of those nine, only four are not in the Hall of Fame — Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware, Pat Swilling, and Von Miller. Considering Suggs and Ware will likely see their busts created sooner than later, Miller should be able to follow in their footsteps with a couple more productive years to top off his career.
Houston Texans: Laremy Tunsil, OT
Houston’s roster is bereft of talent, and with Deshaun Watson’s ongoing off-field situation in the backdrop of Texans training camp, it looks even worse. Still, if any active player on the team has a chance at the Hall of Fame, it is left tackle Laremy Tunsil. According to SIS DataHub, Tunsil has allowed 7 sacks on 1,089 pass-blocking snaps in Houston over the last two years. While a long shot for the Hall of Fame, Tunsil has the physical ability to be a star left tackle for multiple years.
Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, G
There is no debate here — Quenton Nelson is the current Colts player who can become a future Hall of Famer. He has started every game since 2018, allowing just 2 sacks on 1,755 snaps in pass protection. Not only is he a stellar pass blocker, but Nelson is a menace paving lanes in the ground game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, EDGE
The Jaguars currently do not employ anyone with a Hall of Fame trajectory. Nevertheless, let’s roll the dice with an uber-talented defensive end. Josh Allen flashed his potential as a rookie, forcing 11 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 16 games (four starts). Injuries held him to just two games last year, but a gold jacket could be in his future if Allen reaches his peak.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, QB
Travis Kelce is nearly a lock for the Hall of Fame, and Tyreek Hill is also on his way, but Patrick Mahomes is who we are talking about here. At just 25 years old, he already owns a Super Bowl ring, three Pro Bowls, a first-team All-Pro nod, an Offensive Player of the Year award, and an NFL MVP. Additionally, his State Farm commercials make it so he never leaves the minds of voters.
Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller, TE
Some might expect Derek Carr here, but he doesn’t stack up when examining his career compared to Hall of Famers. One player who has a chance — no matter how slim — is Darren Waller.
Waller exploded onto the scene in 2019, reeling in 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and 3 TDs. The former receiver improved last season, generating a 107-1,196-9 stat line. He would have to produce to that level for multiple years and rack up accolades to truly enter the Hall of Fame conversation.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa, EDGE
The sheer amount of talent on the Chargers’ roster is impressive. Keenan Allen is one of the most underrated players in the NFL, but injuries have derailed any Hall of Fame chances he had. The same can be said for Derwin James, but at 25 years old, he has plenty of career left to right the ship. Justin Herbert is a rising phenom coming off an excellent rookie campaign.
However, the player with the highest probability of being a future Hall of Famer is Joey Bosa. He’s delivered 47.5 sacks, 68 tackles for loss, and 109 QB hits in just 59 games. If Bosa can remain healthy for the rest of his career, he can earn a spot in Canton.
Miami Dolphins: Xavien Howard, CB
Like many teams, the Dolphins have talent, but not much in the way of future Hall of Famers. However, if any player can make their way to Ohio, it’s Xavien Howard. Although Howard’s future with the Dolphins is murky at best, he has done nothing but excel. Since 2016, he has defended 55 passes while snatching 22 interceptions.
Howard has only started a full season twice in five years, so health will be a concern, but the physical ability and skill set are there.
New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB
Due to his jaw-dropping rushing numbers, Cam Newton should be in the conversation. But I do not believe he has done enough to warrant a gold jacket thus far. So, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball. Stephon Gilmore has thrived in New England, allowing less than a 60% completion rate in the last three years.
His 114 career pass deflections are one behind Richard Sherman, and his 25 interceptions fall just short of Darrelle Revis (29). Gilmore has a Defensive Player of the Year award, two All-Pros, four Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl victory to his name. All he needs to do is hold on for a few more years at a high level to make his Hall of Fame decision easier.
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT
The 23-year-old defensive tackle disappointed as a rookie but bounced back in 2020. Williams filled up the stat sheet, generated 55 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, 7 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles across 13 games. With a full season, the defensive tackle won’t be anything to sneeze at. “Bless you, thank you.”
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB
Big Ben won’t have difficulty entering Canton, even with a rocky twilight to his career. The future Hall of Famer has the awards, stats, and Super Bowls to walk in briskly.
Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones, WR
Arguably the best receiver of his generation, Julio Jones will join a new team for the first time in his 11-year career. After stockpiling 1,300+ receiving yards six years in a row, injuries limited Jones to 771 yards last year. With another string of productive seasons, it will be a matter of “when” not “if” Jones enters the Hall of Fame.