The dream of every NFL player is to hoist that Lombardi Trophy and be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. For some NFL players, that dream becomes a reality. Let’s take a look at 5 NFL players that will make it to Canton and 5 that will not.
WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Aaron Donald
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be a surefire hall of famer the moment he decides to retire from the gridiron. After striking fear in quarterbacks for nearly a decade, Donald has surpassed over 100 sacks during his NFL career which has also included 7 first-team All-Pro honors, 9 Pro Bowl nominations, 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a Superbowl ring.
His playing style and ability to consistently penetrate the offensive line have earned him a reputation as one of the most disruptive and impactful defensive players in the league. Quarterbacks will enjoy the day Donald hangs up his cleats and trades them in for a gold jacket.
WILL NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Jadaveon Clowney
The 2014 NFL Draft first overall pick has had a productive but not hall-of-fame-worthy career. Clowney came into college with serious hype which included being labeled a 5-star recruitClowney decided to take his talents to South Carolina after receiving offers from Clemson, Alabama, LSU, and Florida State. After receiving numerous collegiate honors, the Houston Texans selected Clowney first overall.
Analysts described Clowney as “a meaner nastier version of Julius Peppers.” While Clowney has produced a successful NFL career including multiple Pro Bowls, it just isn’t a Canton-worthy type of career.
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WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Von Miller
Miller has tormented quarterbacks for the past decade. The NFL’s active sack leader will be enshrined with a gold bust in Canton when he decides to retire. Miller’s career includes numerous Pro Bowls, several first-team All-Pros, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl MVP and 2 Lombardi trophies.
Since being drafted, Miller has been regarded as one of the league’s top defensive Yannick Ngakoue players.
WILL NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Yannick Ngakoue
The third-round defensive end out of Maryland has surpassed his draft expectations. Ngakoue has topped over 50 sacks in his impressive NFL career playing for 6 different NFL franchises. Ngakoue is also currently one of 5 NFL players to record 8 or more sacks in their first 7 NFL seasons. The others on that list include Hall of Fame inductees: Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, Demarcus Ware, and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.
During an interview with the Pioneer Press, Ngakoue said “That’s my aspiration, to be a Hall of Famer, and I’m working and striving to do that each and every day.” Currently in the top 15 for active NFL sack leaders, Yannick’s career, while impressive, is not Hall of Fame worthy.
WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Bobby Wagner
One of the centerpieces of the Seattle Seahawks “Legion of Boom” defense, Wagner has widely been considered to be one of the greatest linebackers of the 21st century. Wagner is the all-time Seahawks tackle leader as well as being a member of the 2010 all-decade team.
Wagner has a resume that is Canton-worthy. Wagner touts a Superbowl championship, multiple Pro Bowls, and several first-team All-Pros. The question that should be asked is when Wagner retires will he be a first-ballot Hall of Famer? I think that the answer is yes.
WILL NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming one of just two cornerbacks to win it since 1994. Currently in the top 5 for active interception leaders, Gilmore has had a great football career.
Gilmore has a pretty good case for the Hall of Fame. He’s been a top-tier cornerback for the majority of his career, which began in 2012, playing for 5 NFL teams. This is going to be a close one but chances are Gilmore will only be able to visit Canton with a ticket.
WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – TJ Watt
The Watt family is going to be dominating Canton one day with both TJ and JJ’s eventual induction days coming. While JJ has finished his hall-of-fame career, his younger brother continues to add to his. The 2021 NFL defensive player of the year also is the single-season sack leader (22.5) which he shares with Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
Watt already is the Steelers’ all-time sack leader passing Steeler greats such as James Harrison, Joey Porter, Greg Lloyd, and Lamar Woodley. The impressive career for TJ Watt only looks to grow as he looks to pass JJ on the all-time sack list. The odds are in TJ’s favor as he has yet to celebrate his 30th birthday.
WILL NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Calais Campbell
It’s hard to not pencil someone with over 100 career sacks into the Hall of Fame but that is exactly what has happened to Calais Campbell. The 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year has accrued some amazing accolades over his career for 4 NFL franchises.
While Campbell will surely be enshrined in an NFL team’s Ring of Honor, the multiple-time Pro Bowler just does not seem to have the WOW factor needed to garner immortality in Canton.
WILL BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Cameron Jordan
An anchor of the Saints defensive line since 2011, the eight-time pro bowler has surpassed over 100 sacks in his NFL career. He currently ranks second in the active sack leaders behind fellow list member Von Miller.
Jordan is also a member of the 2010s All-Decade team and has been reliable on the gridiron. Jordan has played in at least 16 games in every NFL season since joining the league. While he might not be the first ballot guarantee like some others on this list, Jordan will get that call letting him know he will become a part of football immortality.
WILL NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME – Fletcher Cox
While being a great defensive tackle for the past decade, Cox has been overshadowed by the likes of JJ Watt, Chris Jones, and Aaron Donald. Nearly being doubled in statistical output for sacks by the likes of Cameron Jordan and Von Miller, Cox lacks the stats that would make him a lock for Canton.
Cox has only produced one double-digit sack season in his career and never really had the ability to change the game like others in his position. However, let’s make sure we give Fletch some flowers for his contributions to the city of Philly which included a Lombardi trophy.
