Generational talent at wide receiver isn’t the easiest to come by in the NFL. Behind tight end, it’s one of the least represented positions in the Hall of Fame. The most recent great we’ve seen play is Calvin Johnson and he retired all the way back in 2015.
Of course, there are certainly some active players who make their case for Canton. That’s why this list will go over 5 NFL Wide Receivers that WILL BE in the Hall of Fame and 5 That WON’T.
Will Make It: Davante Adams
At 32 years old Adams could potentially only play a few more seasons at a decent level and still make it to the Hall. He’s been at the top of the league for quite some time now and you can’t argue with nine Pro Bowls and three All-Pros.
He already sits at over 10,000 yards, 90 touchdowns and 800 receptions. Even without a Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball he is completely dominant. He will be a lock once he retires.
Won't Make It: Cooper Kupp
In 2021, Kupp was arguably the best offensive player in the entire league. He won Offensive Player of the Year, placed third in MVP and took home a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro. Don’t forget he also won the receiving triple crown for leading the league in receptions, touchdowns and yards.
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Before that though he was never more than a WR2 or WR2 with the Rams. Now dealing with a lingering hamstring injury there’s a question on whether he will return to his old self. If he can’t, then one amazing season isn’t enough to make the Hall of Fame.
Will Make It: Justin Jefferson
At just 24 years old Jefferson is the best receiver in the league. The same could have even been said when he was 22 and 23. It’s not often we see a player burst onto the scene the way he has. Almost nobody has any idea how to stop him and it shows.
He’s already won OPOY, been to three Pro Bowls, made one first-team All-Pro, and two second-team All-Pros. In just four seasons he has been so dominant that if he were on the Chicago Bears he would already be their all-time leader in receiving yards.
Won’t Make It: Michael Thomas
In 2018 Michael Thomas broke the record for the most receptions in a season with 149. While also leading the league in yards it’d make him the recipient of the OPOY award and first-team All-Pro. Everything was looking up for him as he did this all by just his age 26 season.
Unfortunately, juries seem to be getting the best of him. He missed all of 2021 due to an ankle injury and in 2022 he played in only three games. He’s back to playing in 2023 but didn’t even start in all the games he’s played in. It’s an uphill battle for Thomas to make it to Canton.
Will Make It: Julio Jones
This list is strictly active players and since Jones is a free agent and hasn’t retired yet he qualifies to be on here. At 13.629 career receiving yards, he is well above the Hall of Fame average which is 11,532. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL’s 20120s All-Decade Team.
The only thing that could realistically hold him back is his touchdown numbers. He’s only at 63 as of now but should make it regardless.
Won’t Make It: Odell Beckham Jr.
For so long Odell was an icon in the NFL. Almost every week it seemed like he was making insane catches that only he could make but flashy catches don’t make you a legend. For a while, it definitely seemed like he was making a strong case for the Hall. After 2020 though things fell apart.
With not much hope of reaching the 1000-yard receiving mark in 2023 his last time achieving the stat was in 2019. With where he’s at now the Hall of Fame seems like a stretch.
Will Make It: Mike Evans
At first, I thought Evans was a bit of a long shot at making the Hall when I started this list. After looking at his stats it’s hard to keep that same opinion. He matches up extremely closely to a player Like Davante Adams. Over 10,000 yards and 80 touchdowns in his first 10 seasons is hard to argue against.
The only thing weighing him down is how many other great receivers he’s competing against for awards like Pro-Bowls and All-Pros.
Won’t Make It: Keena Allen
Allen has certainly had a good career so far and Chargers fans can certainly make an argument as to why he is good enough for Canton but it’s probably not true. He’s got five Pro Bowls but not much else. He should pass 10,000 yards by the end of 2023 but his touchdown numbers are extremely low.
Unless we see a few exceptional seasons from Allen soon then it doesn’t make sense to send him to the Hall of Fame.
Will Make It: Deandre Hopkins
He might be on the back end of his career but we can’t forget how amazing he was in his prime. He has been named first-team All-Pro three times and second-team All-Pro twice. Sitting at over 11,000 receiving yards and over 70 touchdowns he has as good of a case as any player on this list.
It might not be a first ballot entry for Hopkins but there’s no doubt he’ll eventually make it.
Will Not Make It: Bradin Cooks
Out of active players, Cooks might be one of the few receivers on the outside looking in once he retires. Over 8000 yards and 40 touchdowns is still an amazing accomplishment but not enough. He was certainly one of the best receiving threats of the 2010s though as he had four 1000 receiving yard seasons from 2014 to 2019.
