Setting the Hall of Fame Odds of the NFL's Top 50 Active Players

When it is all said and done, which of the NFL's best players will find themselves enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio?

We take a look at the top 50 players in the NFL today and break down their odds of making the Hall of Fame once their careers are over.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning might be locks, but which of their fellow players are also on the cusp of greatness?

50. LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers

Credentials: 39 career sacks, three interceptions, 2009 Pro Bowl invite, 2009 All-Pro 2nd Team, 2010 No. 3 sacks (13.5), Super Bowl XLIII champion

Breakdown: LaMarr Woodley's early career has been wonderful, and he's building up a reputation as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. To see a Hall of Fame bust in his future he must continue to evolve and truly become a top player at his position. Winning a few more Super Bowls would not hurt, either.

Hall of Fame Odds: 15 percent

49. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs

Credentials: 41.5 career sacks, 2010 No. 2 sacks (14.5), one Pro Bowl invite

Breakdown: Hali got off to a slow start in his career but seems to be making up for it under Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator. He will need a sack title or two before he is considered in the same breath as DeMarcus Ware or James Harrison.

Hall of Fame Odds: 15 percent

48. Justin Tuck, New York Giants

Credentials: 40.5 career sacks, two Pro Bowl invites, two All-Pro selections, Super Bowl XLII champion

Breakdown: Tuck has a solid stat line, and the Super Bowl win helps, but he needs to follow up a stellar 2010 with another solid season before he can be considered a candidate.

Hall of Fame Odds: 15 percent

47. Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings

Credentials: Seven Pro Bowls, six 1st Team All-Pro selections, one 2nd Team All-Pro selection, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Breakdown: Hutchinson is largely considered the best offensive guard of the 2000s. He is a lock to enter the Hall of Fame once his brilliant career is over.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

46. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Credentials: 5,248 career rushing yards, two Pro Bowls, 2010 1st Team All-Pro, 2009 2nd Team All-Pro, 2010 NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year 2nd Place

Breakdown: To make the Hall of Fame as a running back you have to set an NFL record or be widely known as the best at your position during your career. To date, Maurice Jones-Drew has done neither. He is a very good running back, but what he has shown through five seasons is not enough to make the Hall.

Hall of Fame Odds: 5 percent

45. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Credentials: NFL Best Player ESPY Award (2000), four-time Pro Bowl selection, NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award (2010), 1,039 rushing yards (2006)

Breakdown: Hall of Fame voters are not supposed to consider off-field issues when casting their votes. Michael Vick should hope they forget about his by then. Vick changed the NFL with his ability to run and pass, but he lacks a key win in his career so far. A Super Bowl win would clinch a gold jacket for Vick.

Hall of Fame Odds: 50 percent

44. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots

Credentials: 2008 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2010 Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection

Breakdown: Jerod Mayo may not be a statistical juggernaut, but he is the defensive captain for one of the greatest teams of the 2000s. Mayo has yet to notch a Super Bowl win; something he will need before the Hall of Fame considers him. Mayo's candidacy will be hurt by the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis playing the same position.

Hall of Fame Odds: 30 percent

43. Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

Credentials: Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time 1st Team All-Pro, two-time 2nd Team All-Pro, 2004 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004), two-time NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year, NFL interception leader 2004, 2008, 2010.


Breakdown: Ed Reed will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. There is really no point in arguing about it.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

42. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns

Credentials: 2010 Pro Bowl selection

Breakdown: Alex Mack is quickly becoming of the best centers in the NFL. If the Browns start winning, or he ends up elsewhere, Mack will start to rack up the All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Hall of Fame Odds: 60 percent

41. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Credentials: Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time All-Pro, two-time NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year, CBS' All-Iron Award, Cowboys record 15 catches in one game

Breakdown: Witten is a very good tight end, but when grouped with other active tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates he fails to stack up against them. Witten, without at least one Super Bowl win, will go down as a good but never great tight end.

Hall of Fame Odds: 40 percent

40. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Credentials: 2010 Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, FedEx Ground Player of the Year

Breakdown: Before Charles can be called a Hall of Fame running back he will need to repeat his 2010 performance and lead the Chiefs to multiple playoff appearances and also lead the NFL in rushing. His career to date is bright, he just needs to keep it up.

Hall of Fame Odds: 40 percent

39. Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles

Credentials: Two-time Pro Bowl selection, 2009 2nd Team All-Pro, NFL All-Rookie, 57 career sacks

Breakdown: Trent Cole has been one of the better defensive ends in the NFL during his six seasons, but he has never been the best—and that's what it takes for defensive linemen to reach the Hall of Fame. You have to be the best at your position for a serious stretch of time.

Hall of Fame Odds: 10 percent

38. Jay Ratliff, Dallas Cowboys

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, 1st Team All-Pro (2009)

Breakdown: Jay Ratliff has not received the media attention or hype deserved of a high-end nose tackle, and that may haunt any chance he has of reaching the Hall of Fame once his career ends. Ratliff needs to anchor the Dallas defense to several late postseason runs for his name to enter consideration.

Hall of Fame Odds: 5 percent

37. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, 1st Team All-Pro (2010), NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year (2010), Falcons' single-season receiving yards record (1,389), Falcons' post-season catches in a game record (11), Falcons' single-game record yards in a game (210), 2010 NFL leader in catches (115)

Breakdown: Roddy White's value in the NFL has shifted dramatically since the Falcons drafted Matt Ryan. The two will see their Hall of Fame candidacy going hand-in-hand—the better Ryan plays, the better White plays and the better the Falcons are.

Hall of Fame Odds: 25 percent

36. Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints

Credentials: Two-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro, Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award (2010), Super Bowl XLIV champion

Breakdown: If Jahri Evans is not the best guard in the NFC, he's pretty damn close. Evans is a quality pass and run blocker on a team with the talent to win multiple Super Bowls. If Evans' career stays on the same path it currently is, he'll be a tough debate for Hall of Fame voters.

Hall of Fame Odds: 40 percent

35. Nick Mangold, New York Jets

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro

Breakdown: Nick Mangold ranks, by most accounts, as the best center in the NFL today. As the Jets get better, his value and potential Hall of Fame credentials will only improve. Of course, winning a Super Bowl or two wouldn't hurt either.

Hall of Fame Odds: 65 percent

34. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time 2nd Team All-Pro, 7, 948 career rushing yards

Breakdown: Steven Jackson has been a workhorse for the Rams during his time in the NFL, but he has never been dominant nor has he been considered the best running back in the league. Without winning multiple Super Bowls or rushing titles it is hard for us to see Jackson making the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Odds: 15 percent

33. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Credentials: Three Pro Bowl selections, NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year (2010), second highest career QB rating all-time (97.2)

Breakdown: Playing in the same era as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady makes it tough for any other quarterback to be considered the best. Rivers is certainly in the running for top five, but he will need to win at least one Super Bowl before he can be talked about in Canton, Ohio.

Hall of Fame Odds: 25 percent

32. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens

Credentials: 2003 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2008 2nd Team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowl selection, 68.5 career sacks

Breakdown: Suggs has done very well playing a defensive end/outside linebacker role in Baltimore. He has yet to win a Super Bowl and, with just four Pro Bowl invites in seven seasons, it would seem that Suggs is being overlooked by his peers, the media and fans. Not a good sign if he has Hall of Fame aspirations.

Hall of Fame Odds: 25 percent

31. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

Credentials: Six Pro Bowl invites, three-time 1st Team All-Pro, one 2nd Team All-Pro, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, 2010 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2010 NFL Alumni Player of the Year

Breakdown: Troy Polamalu has as good a chance as any active player at making the Hall of Fame once his career is over. The impact he has had on the game and his team in winning two Super Bowls has been enormous.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

30. Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans

Credentials: 2008 Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro

Breakdown: Michael Roos may be one of the best left tackles in the NFL today, but his credentials are not Hall of Fame worthy unless the Titans can rip off multiple playoff runs over the next eight years.

Hall of Fame Odds: 5 percent

29. Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos

Credentials: 1st Team All-Pro (2009), 2nd Team All-Pro (2008), one Pro Bowl invite

Breakdown: Playing in the NFL with guys like Jake Long and Joe Thomas will really dampen your chances of getting noticed by NFL fans and media. Clady has great talent, but he is too often overlooked for the truly elite tackles in the game today.

Hall of Fame Odds: 5 percent

28. Logan Mankins, New England Patriots

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro

Breakdown: Logan Mankins is widely considered the best guard in the NFL today—something we agree with. All he lacks is a Super Bowl ring, something the Patriots haven't seen since 2004.

Hall of Fame Odds: 55 percent

27. Mario Williams, Houston Texans

Credentials: No. 1 overall pick (2006), 48 career sacks, two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection

Breakdown: Mario Williams has had a very good career, but few would call him the best defensive end in football. A move to outside linebacker may help him in the stats department, but it's hard to imagine Williams ever being dominant enough to enter the Hall of Fame as anything but a guest.

Hall of Fame Odds: 25 percent

26. Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots

Credentials: Super Bowl XXXIX champion, three-time Pro Bowl and 2nd Team All-Pro selection

Breakdown: Vince Wilfork is the best nose tackle in the NFL, and has been for some time, but his statistics will stack up very poorly against other elite defensive tackles throughout the history of the NFL. If judged solely on his impact in the 3-4 defense, Wilfork has a great chance to get in the Hall.

Hall of Fame Odds: 55 percent

25. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Credentials: Five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time 1st Team All-Pro, 2009 Pro Bowl MVP, 2008 NFC Champion

Breakdown: The curse of Larry Fitzgerald's career may be that he will never again play for a great team. As great as Fitzgerald could be, the Cardinals quarterback situation does not help. At just 27 years old, there is still plenty of time for Fitzgerald to win enough games to see his Canton campaign heat up.

Hall of Fame Odds: 45 percent

24. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Credentials: 2010 Pro Bowl and 2nd Team All-Pro Selection

Breakdown: Few players have ever made the Hall of Fame without winning at a very high level. If Megatron's career in Detroit does not see a serious turnaround he will find himself on the outside looking in at the famous busts of Canton.

Hall of Fame Odds: 25 percent

23. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

Credentials: Two-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro, 2008 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, longest play in Super Bowl history (100 yard interception return)

Breakdown: James Harrison has been somewhat understated during a brilliant NFL career that has featured multiple awards and Super Bowl wins. He may suffer from other talented players of this Steelers team making the Hall (Polamalu, Roethlisberger).

Hall of Fame Odds: 55 percent

22. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

Credentials: Seven-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time All-Pro, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Breakdown: If Antonio Gates is not the greatest tight end to ever play the game, then he is pretty damn close to it. Gates will be a first ballot Hall of Famer and may very well go down as the best to play his position. Ever.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

21. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Credentials: 2010 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year, Sporting News Rookie of the Year, Pro Football Weekly Rookie of the Year, Pro Football Writers of America Rookie of the Year, 2010 Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection

Breakdown: It is very early in Ndamukong Suh's career to make predictions like this, but if he can come close to matching his rookie production for the rest of his career he may very well go down in NFL history as the best defensive tackle ever.

Hall of Fame Odds: 65 percent

20. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

Credentials: Ranked No. 18 best player in league history by the NFL Network, NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000 and 2003), 12 Pro Bowl invites, 10 All-Pro selections, Super Bowl XXXV Champion and MVP

Breakdown: It's all but a formality. Ray Lewis will be entered into the Hall of Fame five years after he retires. Few players have ever had the success or impact on the game that Lewis has had during his brilliant NFL career.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

19. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

Credentials: 2007 NFL Alumni Pass-Rusher of the Year, 2008 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year, three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, 83 career sacks

Breakdown: At times during his career with the Chiefs and Vikings, Jared Allen has been considered the best defensive end in football. This certainly helps his cause as a candidate for the Hall of Fame. What would help even more is a Super Bowl win.

Hall of Fame Odds: 65 percent

18. Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

Credentials: Has made the Pro Bowl all four years in the NFL, three-time All-Pro selection

Breakdown: It's pretty telling that Joe Thomas has made the Pro Bowl every year he has been in the NFL. On a better team he would be a household name. As it is, Thomas has stayed below the radar in terms of national attention. That won't last for long. The 26-year-old seems like a lock for Canton if his career path continues as it has started.

Hall of Fame Odds: 80 percent

17. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Credentials: Super Bowl XLIV MVP and champion, five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, 2008 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, two-time NFC MVP, three-time NFC Offensive Player of the Year, three-time FedEx Air Player of the Year, 2004 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 2010 AP Male Athlete of the Year

Breakdown: Drew Brees has done it all in his career. The only argument we could see keeping him out of Canton is that he was never the best at his position during his NFL career. And that's a shaky argument at best.

Hall of Fame Odds: 95 percent

16. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers

Credentials: Two-time Pro Bowler, 2010 1st Team All-Pro, NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2010), Super Bowl XLV champion

Breakdown: Clay Matthews III is off to a brilliant start in his NFL career—now he just needs to keep doing it. Winning another Super Bowl and a sack title or two would definitely help up his odds.

Hall of Fame Odds: 75 percent

15. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys

Credentials: Five-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, 2008 NFC Defensive Player of the Year, 2008 All Iron Award WInner, 87.5 career sacks

Breakdown: DeMarcus Ware is considered and generally accepted as the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL today and one of the most dynamic defensive players of the last decade. His ability to sack the quarterback with consistency and force through six seasons of NFL play have earned him a reserved spot in the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

14. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Credentials: 2007 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, four-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, 2008 Pro Bowl MVP, 5,782 career yards rushing

Breakdown: Adrian Peterson is building an impressive resume after just four seasons in the NFL. If he can keep up his 1,000-yard streak and carry the Vikings back to contention in the NFC on a regular basis, his odds will only increase.

Hall of Fame Odds: 80 percent

13. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Credentials: Two-time Super Bowl champion, 2007 Pro Bowl selection, 2004 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Breakdown: Much like Drew Brees before him, Ben Roethlisberger will find his candicacy for the Hall of Fame hurt by the play of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. He will have four to five years of play once the two retire, in which he could pad his stats a bit.

Hall of Fame Odds: 95 percent

12. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Credentials: All-time single-season yards record (2,509), 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three-time Pro Bowl selection, 2009 1st Team All-Pro, 2,006 yards rushing during 2009 season

Breakdown: When you break records set by Marshall Faulk and enter the 2,000-yard rusher club in your second NFL season, you have to feel pretty good about your chances for a bust in Canton once you have finished making your mark on the NFL.

Hall of Fame Odds: 90 percent

11. Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens

Credentials: Two-time Pro Bowl selection, three All-Pro selections, All-Fundamentals Team (2009, 2010)

Breakdown: Defensive tackles need to be really, really special to make the Hall of Fame. Haloti Ngata is special, but his stats may not be good enough to enter the pantheon of greatness situated in Canton, Ohio.

Hall of Fame Odds: 75 percent

10. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Credentials: 2009 Pro Bowl selection, Super Bowl XLV MVP and champion, 2010 FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year, only player in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in each of first two seasons

Breakdown: Rodgers did it all in 2010—if he can keep it up we'll see him don the gold jacket worn by so many Green Bay Packers before him. Entering the "greatest quarterback of the twenty-ten's" conversation will help. Rodgers is the heir apparent to the Brady-Manning throne.

Hall of Fame Odds: 85 percent

9. Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers

Credentials: Super Bowl XLV champion, seven-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time All-Pro, 2009 NFC Defensive Player of the Year, 2009 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1998 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 47 career interceptions

Breakdown: I have been quite honest in my estimation that Charles Woodson is the greatest cornerback to ever play the game. A title like that guarantees a permanent seat in the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

8. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Credentials: Ranked No. 8 player all-time by NFL Network, 11 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro selections, four-time AP NFL MVP, six-time AFC Player of the Year, 2005 Pro Bowl MVP, Super Bowl XLI MVP and champion and many, many more.

Breakdown: Duh. Manning may go down as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game—during the regular season. The playoffs have been his Achilles' heel, but Dan Marino made it in the Hall of Fame with one less Super Bowl win than Manning.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent

7. Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears

Credentials: Six-time Pro Bowler, five All-Pro selections, 2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2000s NFL All-Decade Team, 89 career sacks

Breakdown: Julius Peppers has had a great career, but has it been good enough to make Canton? He has never won a Super Bowl or led the NFL in sacks. There is still time, but as of now I would say Peppers is not a Hall of Famer.

Hall of Fame Odds: 70 percent

6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Credentials: Three-time NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year, five-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-Pro, two-time league leader in receiving yards

Breakdown: Andre Johnson ranks right now as the best wide receiver in football. And not just in terms of ability, but also in production. If he keeps up his current streak he will find himself a welcome addition to the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Odds: 80 percent

5. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, two All-Pro team selections, 2009 AFC Defensive Player of the Year

Breakdown: Based on his early career it would be easy to call Revis a lock for the Hall of Fame, but a down season in 2010 has us a little more cautious about his post-career accolades. Revis is definitely talented enough, but it all depends on production.

Hall of Fame Odds: 90 percent

4. Jake Long, Miami Dolphins

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro

Breakdown: Think of the value and importance of the left tackle position in the NFL today and it is hard to imagine the best left tackle in the game not making the Hall of Fame. Long has rare talent, and that will be recognized regardless of wins or losses.

Hall of Fame Odds: 90 percent

3. Nnamdi Asomugha, Free Agent

Credentials: Three-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-Pro, 11 career interceptions

Breakdown: The NFL's most feared and avoided cornerback over the past three seasons, Asomugha's mark on the NFL will be that opposing quarterbacks were so afraid of him that they simply ignored his side of the field. Signing with a winning team this offseason will help clinch his candidacy.

Hall of Fame Odds: 95 percent

2. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers

Credentials: Four-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-Pro, 2007 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, three-time NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year

Breakdown: Willis is regarded widely as the best inside linebacker in football, but will the 49ers ever field a team good enough to showcase his talents? That chance is the 10 percent missing in the odds below. Willis may need to win a Super Bowl before Hall of Fame voters consider him a first ballot player.

Hall of Fame Odds: 90 percent

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Credentials: Rated No. 21 all-time by NFL Network, six-time Pro Bowl selection, three All-Pro selections, three Super Bowl championships, two Super Bowl MVPs, two-time AP NFL MVP, two-time AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL season record 50 passing touchdowns

Breakdown: Tom Brady will leave the NFL as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of all time. He has the Super Bowl rings to compete with Joe Montana and the raw statistics to give Dan Marino a run. Brady is truly a treat to watch. He will be a sure thing as a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Hall of Fame Odds: 100 percent