Pro Football Hall of Fame 2023: NFL Inductees, Class Finalists and Predictions

In 2021, there were three players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility: Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. In 2022, no first-timers made it in.

There are three finalists for the 2023 class who are eligible for the first time: Dwight Freeney, Darrelle Revis and Joe Thomas. Will any of them make it in this year? We'll soon find out.

The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is set to be announced during NFL Honors, which will air Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NFL Network. As many as nine people could be announced as new Hall of Famers.

Here's a look at the full list of finalists, followed by predictions for which modern-era players will end up getting inducted in Canton, Ohio, in August.

2023 Hall of Fame Finalists

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Detail view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame logo seen at the Super Bowl Experience on February 08, 2022, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Modern-Era Finalists

Jared Allen, DE, Kansas City Chiefs (2004-07), Minnesota Vikings (2008-13), Chicago Bears (2014-15), Carolina Panthers (2015)

Willie Anderson, OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1996-2007), Baltimore Ravens (2008)

Ronde Barber, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-2012)

Dwight Freeney, DE/LB, Indianapolis Colts (2002-12), San Diego Chargers (2013-14), Arizona Cardinals (2015), Atlanta Falcons (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2017), Detroit Lions (2017)

Devin Hester, KR/PR/WR, Chicago Bears (2006-13), Atlanta Falcons (2014-15), Baltimore Ravens (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2016)

Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams (1999-2008), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009)

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans (2003-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015), Tennessee Titans (2016)

Albert Lewis, CB, Kansas City Chiefs (1983-93), Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1994-98)

Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets (2007-12, 2015-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013), New England Patriots (2014), Kansas City Chiefs (2017)

Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland Browns (2007-17)

Zach Thomas, LB, Miami Dolphins (1996-2007), Dallas Cowboys (2008)

DeMarcus Ware, LB/DE, Dallas Cowboys (2005-13), Denver Broncos (2014-16)

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (2001-14)

Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers (2007-14)

Darren Woodson, S, Dallas Cowboys (1992-2003)

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Senior Finalists

Chuck Howley, LB, Chicago Bears (1958-59), Dallas Cowboys (1961-73)

Joe Klecko, DL, New York Jets (1977-87), Indianapolis Colts (1988)

Ken Riley, CB, Cincinnati Bengals (1969-83)

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Contributor/Coach Finalist

Don Coryell, head coach, St. Louis Cardinals (1973-77), San Diego Chargers (1978-86)

Thomas, Revis Will Become First-Ballot Hall of Famers

Photo by: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 1, 2017: Left tackle Joe Thomas #73 of the Cleveland Browns runs off the field prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 1, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won 27-24 in overtime. (Photo by: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

Freeney was a dominant pass rusher throughout his NFL career, but he's not going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, the prediction here is that both Revis and Thomas will be.

Revis was a lockdown cornerback for 11 seasons, making things difficult on top wide receivers around the league during that time. His area of the field became known as "Revis Island," and opposing quarterbacks rarely tested him after his reputation had been established.

Still, Revis had 29 interceptions in 145 career games. He was a four-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler. And although he spent eight seasons with the Jets, he also won a Super Bowl title during his lone year with the Patriots in 2014.

Few corners were as impressive as Revis in his era, and that's why he'll be going into the Hall of Fame this year.

As for Thomas, he was one of the most reliable players in the NFL during his 11-year career from 2007-17, all of which was spent with the Browns. He played all 16 games in each of his first 10 seasons, and he never even missed a snap. His streak of 10,363 snaps played is the longest since the league began recording snap counts in 1999.

A six-time All-Pro selection and 10-time Pro Bowler, Thomas was an anchor for Cleveland's O-line for a full decade. He more than lived up to the high expectations the Browns had for him when they took him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

It's not easy to get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first attempt. But Revis and Thomas were special players with strong cases, and the voters should reward them with induction in 2023.

Ware, Hester, Holt Will Round out Class of Modern-Era Inductees

AP Photo/Tim Sharp

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

Ware and Hester were both Hall of Fame finalists in 2022, their first year of eligibility. Neither got in, but they also shouldn't have to wait too much longer. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see both become part of the Class of 2023.

Part of the reason why Freeney may not get inducted this year is because Ware is a bit more deserving. Over his 12-year NFL career (nine seasons with the Cowboys and three with the Broncos), Ware notched 138.5 sacks, the ninth most since sacks became an official stat in 1982.

A four-time All-Pro selection and nine-time Pro Bowler, Ware was a force on the edge throughout his time in the league. He deserves to get into the Hall of Fame this year.

Meanwhile, Hester was the greatest returner of all time. He may not have excelled at either offense or defense, but the impact he made on special teams was unlike any other player in NFL history.

Hester owns the league records for career special teams touchdowns (20), career punt return TDs (14) and punt return TDs in a single season (four in 2007). He should go into the Hall of Fame, considering he was the best at his craft and excelled in a way that was so unique.

As for the final modern-era spot in this year's Hall of Fame class, it should go to Holt. He's a finalist for the fourth consecutive year, and it's time for him to get recognition.

Holt was a tremendous receiver throughout his 11-year NFL career (10 seasons with the Rams and one with the Jaguars). He twice led the league in receiving yards, including in 2003, when he had 117 catches for 1,696 yards and 12 touchdowns (all career highs).

With his impressive career numbers (13,382 receiving yards and 74 receiving touchdowns) and the consistency he showed during his time in the league, Holt performed well enough to be a Hall of Famer. So expect him to get in sooner rather than later, and potentially this year.