Each NFL Team's Future Hall of Famer
267. That is how many players have been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame out of the hundreds of thousands to ever play in the NFL.
Many current players may someday be worthy of such an honor, but which ones are they?
Each NFL team has at least one player with the potential to be graced into Canton, but most of them will end up missing the cut.
Players that are selected do not go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of a certain team, but, a player has to have played a majority of their career with one team to be eligible for this list; for example. Tony Gonzalez plays for the Falcons and is a lock for the Hall of Fame, but he played the majority of his career with the Chiefs player. The end result is that a player other than Gonzalez will be selected for both teams.
There are a number of worthy players, but lets take a look at each NFL team's top candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Players Who Will Be in the Hall of Fame That Do Not Qualify for the List
1 of 33| Player |
| Tony Gonzalez |
| LaDainian Tomlinson |
| Terrell Owens |
| Julius Peppers |
| Richard Seymour |
| Olin Krutz |
| Brian Dawkins |
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald
2 of 33Larry Fitzgerald is the obvious choice for the Cardinals, and he should be a sure-fire Hall of Famer when his career is all said and done.
The receiver has amassed five 1,000-yard seasons during his career while averaging 83 catches per season. His quarterbacks (since Kurt Warner left) have not allowed him to maximize his full potential, but Larry is still proving he is one of the best.
Awards:
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Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan
3 of 33I went back and forth with defensive star John Abraham and Matty Ice, but Matt Ryan ultimately took the decision.
Ryan had a 4,000-yard passing season in 2011, and he has a number of talented young targets that should allow him to put up some great numbers for years to come.
Awards:
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Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis
4 of 33Ray Lewis is arguably the best linebacker to ever play the game of football; there is no question that being enshrined in Canton is in his future.
Lewis won his first and only world championship back in 2001 when he was the leader of one of the greatest defenses of all time. Lewis remains a dominant figure even at age 35, and it looks like he has a number of good years left if he desires to keep playing.
Awards:
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Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus
5 of 33Marcell Dareus may only be a rookie, but don't let that deter you away from the fact that he has the highest potential to make the Hall of fame out of the Bills current roster.
Dareus has played at both defensive end and defensive tackle this season, which shows the type of attitude and commitment that he has not only to helping his team, but to being a great player for the next decade.
Awards:
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Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith
6 of 33Jon Beason would be a solid pick here as well, but the numbers don't lie when you look at Steve Smith's career.
Smith never truly had a Pro Bowl quarterback, with the exception of a few above-average seasons from Jake Delhomme, and when you add his size into the mix, it makes Smith that much more special.
Smith had arguably his best season at age 32, and it looks like he will be spending a few more seasons with rookie Cam Newton.
Awards:
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Chicago Bears: Brian Urlacher
7 of 33When you think of the Chicago Bears, you think of Brian Urlacher.
Urlacher has been the staple of the Bears defense since he came into the league in 2000, and he is a sure-fire Hall of Famer.
Urlacher is a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, which in itself shows how productive his career has been.
Awards:
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Cincinatti Bengals: A.J. Green
8 of 33A.J. Green has been just what the Cincinnati Bengals ordered when they drafted him fourth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Green went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season and is a serious contender for Rookie of the Year.
Green looks to be in perfect sync with fellow rookie Andy Dalton, and the two look to be a deadly combination for years to come.
Awards:
- Pro bowl (2011)
Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas
9 of 33Joe Thomas is the best player on the Cleveland Browns, and he is arguably the best left tackle in the NFL.
Thomas has appeared in four consecutive Pro Bowls and has sadly, due to the Browns' poor performance, he not gotten the credit and media attention that he deserves.
Thomas has showed no signs of slowing down, and he looks to become a first-ballot selection into Canton when his career is all said and done.
Awards:
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Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware
10 of 33DeMarcus Ware has been a force to be reckoned with since he entered the league in 2005. The linebacker has been to five straight Pro Bowls and was selected to the NFL 2000s All-decade second-team.
Ware has been a sack machine over the course of his career and has totaled 99.5 throughout his career.
Ware will go down as one of the best outside linebackers to play in the NFL.
Awards:
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Denver Broncos: Champ Bailey
11 of 33Champ Bailey has been the best corner in the NFL for the past decade, and it is clear that the Denver Broncos won the trade they made to acquire him in 2004.
The corner has been selected to the Pro Bowl in every season except for his rookie year, and he holds the record for most Pro Bowl's by a corner with ten.
Bailey did not allow one touchdown in 80 passes thrown his way in 2009, a year in which he played in over 98 percent of the snaps. Bailey is also one of the best corners against the run, and he has remained as one of the best-tackling cornerbacks in the game.
Awards:
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Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
12 of 33Ndamukong Suh may be a dirty player, but you cannot argue that he is as dominate as they come from the defensive tackle position.
Suh is a nightmare for interior lineman; he is fast, nimble and extremely explosive, and it showed when he was selected first team All-Pro as a rookie.
Suh was also only the third rookie defensive lineman to ever make the Pro Bowl, joining a Hall of Fame list while doing so with Merlin Olsen and "Mean" Joe Greene.
Ndamukong may not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer because of his reputation, but he will be enshrined in Canton one day nonetheless.
Awards:
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Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson
13 of 33Many of you maybe shaking your head and saying Aaron Rogers, but the fact of the matter is that Charles Woodson is a lock while Rogers still has a number of years remaining on his plate.
Woodson seems to have gotten better with age, due in part to his three consecutive Pro Bowl and All Pro selctions.
No. 21 was also the NFL's Defensive Player of the year in 2009 and he was a huge part in Green Bay's Super Bowl winning season a year ago. Woodson is also part of the NFL's 50 interception club.
Awards:
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Houston Texans: Andre Johnson
14 of 33Andre Johnson may have been limited this season due to several injuires, but there is no doubt that, when healthy, he is one of the best in the business.
Johnson has hauled in over 100 catches three different times in his career and has made a total of five Pro Bowl appearances. No. 80 should be the first Houston Texans player to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is all said and done.
Awards:
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Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning
15 of 33A neck injury limited Peyton Manning to the sidelines during the 2011-2012 season, and the play of his team showed just how great and valubale of a player that he really is.
Manning has a Super Bowl ring and has made of number of playoff runs all while putting up some insane numbers throughout his historic career.
There is no question that No. 18 will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Awards:
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew
16 of 33Maurice Jones-Drew is, in my opinion, the most under-appreciated player in the NFL. Jones-Drew had his best season in 2011 as he scampered for over 1,600 yards and the league's rushing title, all while working with the league's worst passing offense.
Jones-Drew has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and he should be admitted to Canton if he can keep up that pace for another five seasons.
Awards:
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Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry
17 of 33Eric Berry had a breakout rookie season in 2010, but a knee injury during Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season allowed people to forget how great this guy really is.
Berry compiled two tackles to go along with a forced fumble and four interceptions in 2010, which makes the future extremely promising if he can return to full strength in 2012.
Berry has enough talent to eventually take over for Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu as the best safety in the NFL.
Awards:
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Miami Dolphins: Jake Long
18 of 33Jake Long is the second-best left tackle in football, and he should be the staple on the Miami Dolphins offensive line until he finally decides to hang them up.
Long has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons, and he was named a first team All-Pro in 2010.
Tackles like Long are rare to find, which is why the Dolphins need to find a franchise quarterback that can take advantage of his abilities.
Awards:
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Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson
19 of 33Adrian Peterson is, in my opinion, the best running back in football—he should be a automatic inductee to the Hall of Fame if he can stay healthy for another handful of seasons.
Peterson has rushed for more than 6,700 yards in just five NFL seasons and has been selected first team All-Pro twice.
Awards:
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New England Patriots: Tom Brady
20 of 33Tom Brady may go down as the best quarterback in NFL history if he can win his fourth Super Bowl this season. The 34-year-old Brady still looks to have a number of season left in the tank after throwing for over 5,200 yards in 2011.
Brady has thrown for exactly 300 touchdowns in his career while having a 124-35 career record as a starter.
Tom Brady will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his time in the NFL is all said and done.
Awards:
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New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
21 of 33Drew Brees resurrected his career when he moved from San Diego to New Orleans, and to be honest he wasn't even that bad in San Diego.
Brees shattered Dan Marino's record of 5,084 with a stellar 5,464-yard season in 2011—not to mention, he completed 71.2 percent of his passes as well.
Brees should be close to 60,000 yard club when he calls it quits, which makes him a sure bet for the Hall of Fame.
Awards:
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New York Giants: Eli Manning
22 of 33Eli might not have been on this list before the season started, but he deserves to be after clutch performance after clutch performance during the 2011 season.
Manning threw for a career high 4,933 yards in 2011, which was the third consecutive season that he eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark.
A second Super Bowl ring would make his case even stronger, and the fact that he has the league's best young duo at wide receiver should allow him to continue putting up big numbers.
Awards:
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New York Jets: Darrelle Revis
23 of 33Without a doubt, Darrelle Revis is the best corner in the NFL. The defensive back has been to four straight Pro Bowls and three straight first team All-Pro teams which shows how just elite he is.
Revis has 18 interceptions during his five year career which may not seem like a lot, but it is considering how few passes come his way each season.
Revis will go down as one of the all-time great corners to ever play the game.
Awards:
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Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden
24 of 33Darren McFadden's inability to stay healthy has cost him valuable stats that could someday improve his Hall of Fame chances, but there is no question that this guy is one of the leagues best talents when healthy.
McFadden was on pace to break the 1,100-yard mark that he rushed for in 2010 until a foot injury sidelined him to just seven total games in 2011.
McFadden is still only 24 years young, which means he has a number of years to shine in the NFL.
Awards:
None
Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy
25 of 33LeSean McCoy had a great season despite the woes that the Philadelphia Eagles experienced during 2011.
McCoy rushed for over 1,200 yards while rushing for 17 touchdowns, an extremely productive season. McCoy has just over 3,000 yards rushing on his career through his first three seasons, and at only 23 years old, the future looks incredibly bright.
Awards:
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Polamalu
26 of 33The Pittsburgh Steelers have a number of players that will be worthy of the Hall of Fame one day, but not one is more deserving than No. 43: Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu is a two-time Super Bowl champion that has been one of the most feared defenders of his era. He is the best safety in the NFL today and is just as good against the run as he is against the pass.
Polamalu will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he decides to call it quits.
Awards:
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San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates
27 of 33A players is usually a lock for the Hall of Fame when he is considered the best at his position for a half decade or more, and that is exactly the case for Antonio Gates as a tight end.
Gates has had two seasons where he has surpassed the 1,000 yard mark while having three seasons with 10 or more touchdown receptions.
Injuries limited him in 2011, but there is no question that Gates will be enshrined in Canton.
Awards:
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San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis
28 of 33Patrick Willis finally started to receive the national credit that he deserved after his 49ers team made it all the way to the NFC Championship, and now their should be no questioning that he is the best linebacker in the game.
ESPN's Dana Jacobson asked Ray Lewis which young linebacker reminded him of himself.
"I like a lot of them, but the one I talk to the most who I think kind of emulates me a lot is Patrick Willis. I just love the way he plays the game. He plays the game with a fire. He reminds me of myself -- a lot, a lot, a lot. Not just on the field, but off the field. It would definitely have to be Pat.
"
Awards:
Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas
29 of 33Earl Thomas is an exceptional young talent that was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2011. The play-making Thomas intercepted two passes in 2011, to go along with 98 tackles which is a high number for a safety.
Thomas is already the NFC's elite free safety and he looks to be for years to come.
Awards:
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St. Louis Rams: Steven Jackson
30 of 33Steven Jackson is the St. Louis Rams' all-time leading rusher, and he is one of the league's most underrated players.
Jackson was the only threat on the Rams offense in 2011, and he still managed to rush for over 1,000 yards. No. 39 has seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and at age 28, he still has a few more years left in the tank to improve those already impressive numbers.
Awards:
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber
31 of 33Ronde Barber is an NFL iron man and a defensive player that coordinators and coaches dream of.
Barber has started 199 consecutive games and has been a force in almost every one of them. He has 43 career interceptions to along with the record for sacks by a cornerback with 27.
Barber was also selected to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade team, showing that he was a dominate player for a number of years.
Awards:
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Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson
32 of 33Chris Johnson is one of the NFL's most electrifying players and he is the main object that opposing teams try to stop when playing the Titans.
Johnson got off to a slow start in 2011, and even the 1,200 rushing yards that he finished with were considered a disappointment which shows how respected he is around the league.
A few more 2,000-yard seasons are not out of the question for this guy, and he could one day be in the conversation for the all-time rushing title.
Awards:
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Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo
33 of 33Brian Orakpo is one of the best young NFL linebackers in the game, and his 28.5 sacks over three seasons tell the story why.
He made the Pro Bowl in his first two NFL seasons, and he was selected as an alternate on the 2011 roster. Orakpo will have a Hall of Fame career if the Redskins can add a few more threats to take some of the pressure off their young star.
Awards:
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