Which NFL players should make Hall of Fame out of the 25 finalists?
The potential class for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame is taking shape with finalists being cut down to 25 modern-era players, which will be further reduced to 10 on December 28. This year is a mix of first-ballot names who are absolute locks for Canton, one guy who absolutely will get in, even if his resume might not be worth it — and scores of players trying once more to be enshrined after failing to hear their name called.
Of those first-ballot players the most contentious is going to be Eli Manning without a doubt. It’s certainly fair to consider him a Hall of Famer, taking into account his two Super Bowl rings and matching Super Bowl MVP awards — though it’s right to question whether or not he should be an immediate entry with his career 84.1 passer rating, paired with his 244 career interceptions.
This is a moot point though, because there is no doubt Eli Manning will make it in on his first ballot. The Hall of Fame tends to be about perception as much as anything else, and Eli has become a beloved media figure sitting alongside brother Peyton on ESPN’s Manningcast. Couple that with a distinct lack of quarterbacks on the ballot and it’s the perfect time to sneak him into Canton before next year hits, when Eli’s resume would be compared to that of Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, both of whom should be instant picks.
Who are the other four modern players who should get in?
Fred Taylor, running back — Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro-Bowl (2007), All-Pro (2007)
Taylor ranks 17th on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list, and the 16 guys ahead of him are all either in Canton already, or will be next year (as is the case with Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson). Taylor amassed 11,695 rushing yards over the course of his 13 year career, scoring 74 total touchdowns.
The iron man of the Jaguars, not only does Taylor’s resume make him worthy of being enshrined — but the 2024 season marks the 30th anniversary of the organization he played the majority of his career for. It would be fitting for Jacksonville to get their second player into the Hall of Fame (after Tony Boselli) and the timing is right.
Taylor’s name might not pop off the screen, but he’s absolutely worthy of being remembered forever.
Luke Kuechly, linebacker — Carolina Panthers
Seven-time Pro Bowl, Seven-time All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
The defensive equivalent of Barry Sanders, Kuechly’s star shined brighter than anyone could imagine in the short time he was in the NFL. Only playing eight year before retiring due to concussion concerns, Kuechly was on pace to break every linebacker record in league history if he had a 12-15 year career.
Amassing a ridiculous 1,092 tackles in 118 career games, Kuechly was an instinctive difference-maker on defense who could do anything, and everything asked of him. Not only was he the organizational backbone of the Panthers defense, but also their best run stopper, underrated pass rusher, and gifted at playing the ball in the air, where he recorded 18 interceptions.
There is no doubt Kuechly should be in on his first ballot.
Terrell Suggs, linebacker — Baltimore Ravens
Seven-time Pro Bowl, Two-time All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
When it comes to pass rushing linebackers there are few who are more fearsome in NFL history than Terrell Suggs. Part of the legendary Ravens linebacker group with Ray Lewis, Suggs was the guy who loved nothing more than getting to a quarterback and putting him in the dirt.
Suggs finished his 17 year career with 133.0 sacks, including his monumental 2011 season where he finished with 14.0 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. Suggs was also part of the 2012 Ravens team that won the Super Bowl.
Routinely regarded as one of the most intimidating defensive players in the league during his career, Suggs deserves to have his bust in Canton alongside Ray Lewis — who he played so much of his career with.
Earl Thomas, safety — Seattle Seahawks
Seven-time Pro Bowl, Five-time All-Pro
Richard Sherman garnered the majority of the attention when it came to the “Legion of Boom,” but it was Earl Thomas that made the unit click. One of the most talented safeties of the modern era, the multi-faceted Thomas excelled the most playing the ball in the air, where he finished his career with 30 interceptions and 78 passes defended.
Not only was Thomas critical in shutting down the NFL’s best quarterbacks, but he was a stellar open field tackler, able to bring down receivers and second-level running backs with relative ease. Never was this more prevalent than during the 2013 season, when Thomas finished the year with 103 tackles and helped lead Seattle to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl win.
There is no doubt Thomas belongs in the Hall of Fame for giving us some of the best safety play of the modern era during the course of his 10 year career.
Who is on the full list of finalists?
Here is the full list of every modern-era player eligible to make the 2025 Hall of Fame class. This list will be narrowed to 10 players on December 28, with the final class being announced during the NFL Honors Awards on February 6.
- Eli Manning
- Fred Taylor
- Ricky Watters
- Anquan Boldin
- Torry Holt
- Steve Smith Sr.
- Hines Ward
- Reggie Wayne
- Antonio Gates
- Willie Anderson
- Jahri Evans
- Richmond Webb
- Steve Wisniewski
- Marshal Yanda
- Eric Allen
- Rodney Harrison
- Earl Thomas
- Darren Woodson
- James Harrison
- Luke Kuechly
- Terrell Suggs
- Jared Allen
- Robert Mathis
- Vince Wilfork
- Adam Vinatieri
