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Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Five Choices for Hall's Class of 2024

 By John Turney 

Predictions for each year's Pro Football Hall of Fame's class are always hard, and always fun. These are my guesses for the Class of 2024. The voters are meeting today to present cases and discuss. The Hall's 

I think the players with the best chances are ….

1. Julius Peppers -- who is in the upper echelon among defensive ends in longevity, sacks and Pro Bowls – should make the Hall in his first year of eligibility.

2. Tight end Antonio Gates should also be a first-ballot selection. He caught more touchdown passes than any of the three wide receivers in the Final 15.

3. Of the three wide receivers, I think Andre Johnson jumps to the front of the queue. He was just different physically and was harder for defenses for defenses to find an answer for. He made it to the final 10 last year, surviving the first cut.

4. Patrick Willis, the 49ers’ linebacker, was a first-team All-Pro more than any of the finalists despite having his career cut short by injury.

5. The final slot is the toughest. Will it be a second wide receiver … Holt or Wayne? Like Johnson, both were in last year’s Top 10, surviving the cut from 15. A second pass rusher? Jared Allen was in the final 10, too. But I will go with a sleeper: Right tackle Willie Anderson. There has been an emphasis lately on looking at blockers and tackles, and Anderson has been the blocker most talked about in recent years.

6. Broncos inside linebacker Randy Gradishar, I think, will garner the necessary 80 percent of the votes to  finally get

7. Art Powell, one of the AFL's top receivers, was a surprise in the senior's category but he'll be voted in but there is no sense that he's a lock like McMichael and Gradishar. 

8. As one of the best 4-3 defensive tackles in history -- 95 career sacks -- Steve McMichael won't be snubbed. He'll get a Gold Jacket.

That's it. The coach candidate will have a tough time. Lions and Steelers head coach been snubbed all these years (he's been out of coaching since 1964) and probably will be snubbed again.

Who servives first cut? Jared Allen was in it last year, so would go with him. Torry Holt should repeat in the top ten. Dwight Freeney should move up. So should Devin Hester. Guessing they will go with a defensive back, but who? Darren Woodson edges Eric Allen and Reggie Wayne in my opinion. 

That's my best projection. 


7 comments:

  1. From Brian wolf ...

    John, are you hearing doubts about Parker?
    I sure hope he makes it, though we never know if all three players will get elected but it seems like all 9 potential choices will make it.

    It would look bad I feel to have someone denied now, since he is the only coaching nominee, with questionable contributors already in the Hall.

    I know there could be voter fatigue for safeties, with many getting recent elections, but hopefully Woodson will get his just desserts as the next safety elected. People look at accolades and rightfully so but Woodson made many plays in postseason that allowed the Cowboys to win three SBs and make four straight NFC Championship games. Maybe not as clutch as Dick Anderson or Jake Scott in postseason but set the defensive tone for the Cowboys with speed and physicality.

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  2. No, not hearing anything. But did when he was chosen last Fall. Nothing now. As far as your comment on rejecting someone it is a bad look. But I think all three players will get it. Especially RG and SM. 80% on AP.

    Woodson? As you see think he will move up and get set up for 2025.

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    1. BW ...

      Fair enough. I will take it but feel only one receiver in Feb besides Gates at TE. Could help Willis or a darkhorse like Anderson or Hester but still think Allen gets in before Freeney.

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    2. Talking to guys in past few months Willis has pretty solid chance. Hester does as well but all the guys you name are strong. Freeney and Allen are a coin toss for me. Dungy and Polian on the committee is kind of a thumb on the scale situation.

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  3. What about Maxie Baughn, LB? He was first-team All-Pro four times, a second-team All-Pro three seasons and a nine-time Pro Bowler. And then there is Del Shofner, WR. One of two wide receivers named to the 1960s’ all-decade team. Both men died in last 4 years, never to see induction. Shameful.

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    1. They are senior candidates --- that can't make it this year. This year Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell are the nominees. We find out in a few weeks if all three got in.

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    2. Thank you John. As you’ve seen from my previous posts, I’m passionate about these forgotten great players who deserve their day of HOF glory, Posthumously.

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