With the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 now officially enshrined in Canton, Ohio, I'm looking ahead to who could be receiving a bronze bust when the Class of 2025 is inducted a year from now. Marshawn Lynch will be eligible for the first time. He was a great player, of course, winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and making five Pro Bowls, but I would like to see him get in because the acceptance speech would be legendary. Unfortunately, I believe Hall of Fame voters are going to make him wait at least another year. There might be some voters who still harbor a grudge over his prickly demeanor with the press. He's going to get in at some point. I just don't see it happening in 2025. I'd love to be wrong.
Here are my predictions for the Class of 2025. This is not a list of the players that I believe should get in, but my prediction of who will get in.
THE LOCK
New York Giants, 2004-2019
I know there will be those who don't believe Eli should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His regular-season production looks mild compared with some of his contemporaries at the position. But he's one of six players in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP twice -- three of those players are in the Hall of Fame (Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Bart Starr), one is not yet eligible (Tom Brady) and one is still playing (Patrick Mahomes). I mean, Manning earned those honors against the league’s greatest dynasty. There is no debate here.
TWO MORE FIRST-BALLOT PICKS
Carolina Panthers, 2012-2019
I really do believe Kuechly will get in next year because he has a résumé that runs similar to Brian Urlacher, a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. Like Urlacher, Kuechly won Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), Defensive Player of the Year (2013) and he earned five first-team All-Pro nods (one more than Urlacher). The only holdup up could be his relatively short career (eight seasons). Remember, Patrick Willis -- who also played for eight seasons -- didn't get in until 2024, his fifth year of eligibility.
Baltimore Ravens, 2003-2018; Arizona Cardinals, 2019; Kansas City Chiefs, 2019
The case is a bit more difficult for Suggs. He -- like Luke Kuechly -- won Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003) and Defensive Player of the Year (2011). However, the 2011 season was the only time he was a first-team All-Pro. He was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, which should help him with the voters. I would imagine he'll join Eli and Luke as first-ballot inductees in the Class of 2025.
THE WIDE RECEIVER
I would really love to see Steve Smith Sr. get the nod in 2025. Heading into his fourth year of eligibility, he played for the Panthers and Ravens during his 16 seasons, so with Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs potentially joining him, voting Smith in could set up Carolina vs. Baltimore in next year's Hall of Fame Game. And I'm not pulling for Smith just because he's my NFL Network colleague. The late Chris Wesseling wrote an incredible piece on the case for Steve to get into the Hall of Fame.
A receiver needs to go in. I'd vote for Steve, but my gut says it will be:
St. Louis Rams, 1999-2008; Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009
I've long been predicting that Holt will get the Hall of Fame nod. I'll continue to be shocked if he's left out again in 2025. He's been a finalist for five consecutive years. Steve Smith Sr. was a semifinalist for the Class of 2024, but he did not advance to the finalist round. I'd put both players in the Hall, but I believe only one receiver will get the call next year.
THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Cincinnati Bengals, 1996-2007; Baltimore Ravens, 2008
Anderson was a three-time first-team All-Pro (2004-2006). He was also selected to the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2022. He's been a Hall of Fame finalist for three consecutive years. It's time to bring it home for one of the most dominant linemen of his era.
BONUS NOTE: I would love to mention one very deserving senior candidate. It's wild to me that Roger Craig isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He would be if fantasy football had been a thing in the 1980s. Craig had 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in 1985. The dude had 92 receptions as a running back that season. He was well ahead of his time.
