The 15 finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class have been announced. Five of these modern-era candidates will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next August, and we will find out who they are on Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors.”
While all 15 finalists undoubtedly have their respective arguments for earning their induction, these five would get my vote as to who will make up the class of 2024.
First, here are all 15 finalists.
- Eric Allen, Cornerback – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
- Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
- Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions
- Antonio Gates, Tight End – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
- Rodney Harrison, Safety – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
- Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
- Julius Peppers, Defensive End – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-16 Green Bay Packers
- Fred Taylor, Running back – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Patrick Willis, Linebacker – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
- Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2024; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election. Four others — Seniors category Finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, along with Coach/Contributor Finalist Buddy Parker — also are candidates for the Class of 2024. Voting on each of those four will be held individually, in conjunction with the meeting to decide which Modern-Era Players are elected.
The Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category were determined by a vote of the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 173 nominees named in September that was reduced to 25 Semifinalists on Nov. 28.
Julius Peppers
Peppers was great for a very long time. It’s rare that an edge rusher has as much longevity as the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year had. Peppers’ 159.5 sacks are the fourth most in NFL history. The North Carolina product spent the first eight years of his career in Carolina, making five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in that span. He made his third All-Pro team in 2010, his first year with the Chicago Bears. He also made three more Prow Bowls from 2010-12. His final Pro Bowl appearance came in 2015 at age 35 while he was with the Green Bay Packers. He is one of the most consistent pass rushers off all time, and a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.
Devin Hester
Few players in the history of the game were as must-watch as Devin Hester. Not only is the Miami product the greatest returner of all time, he popularized the importance of a good return man in the mid-2000s. Dante Hall deserves recognition for that, as well, but Hester really set things in motion for guys like Josh Cribbs, Leon Washington, Jacoby Jones, and many others. His NFL-record 14 punt returns for touchdowns are a mark we’ll likely never see get broken. Hester was a four-time Pro Bowler, as well as a three-time All-Pro and is a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team.
Antonio Gates
Well, this is a post about Antonio Gates which means it’s required by law that I mention he played basketball at Kent State. Gates spent all 16 of his seasons in the NFL with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. His 116 touchdowns are the most in NFL history for a tight end, and his longevity is something few have been able to replicate. Gates as a three-time All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler, and is a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team.
Patrick Willis
I don’t know if a player dominated his position quite like Patrick Willis did from 2007-14. While his career was cut short due to ongoing foot problems, the Ole Miss product put together a staggering resume over an eight-year career. He was named All-Pro as a rookie, and made four consecutive All-Pro teams from 2009-12. He led the NFL in tackles twice, including as a rookie in 2007. Willis was a Pro Bowler in every season of his career minus 2014 when he only appeared in six games. He is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, and is among the top handful of off-ball linebackers of all time.
Torry Holt
Of all the great receivers of the 2000s- Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, Chad Johnson- none of them had more yards in the decade than Torry Holt. The former sixth overall pick out of North Carolina State was a rookie during the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” season in 1999, helping St. Louis win the Super Bowl that season. He led the NFL in receiving yards in his sophomore campaign, and earned his first of seven Pro Bowl nods. 2003 was his masterclass, leading the NFL in receptions and yards on the way to an All-Pro selection. For the rest of his career, Holt played for a lot of mediocre-to-bad teams and didn’t get the attention of those aforementioned receivers, but he was every bit as good as anyone at his position throughout his career. He’s waited long enough to get in- 2024 should be where his wait ends.
