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List of new eligible players for the Hall of Fame in 2025. Mike Fanelli breaks down which first-time eligible players could be part of the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
The NFL revealed the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class Thursday night. Seven players will join the elite company in Canton this summer.
While the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class won’t be announced for almost a year, many are already talking about the potential selections.
Several big-name players will be eligible for the first next year. Let’s look at 16 potential first-time eligible players for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
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Eli Manning
Manning is all but a lock for the Hall of Fame next year. While he isn’t an elite quarterback like his brother Peyton Manning, the former Ole Miss star played 16 years with the New York Giants, barely missing any time. Manning doesn’t have the elite numbers or accolades like his brother. However, he was 2-0 in Super Bowl appearances, defeating Tom Brady in both contests.
The Patriots were on the brink of a perfect season.
Then... madness. (Super Bowl XLII: Feb. 3, 2008) @Giants pic.twitter.com/OI52AIzSTG
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 29, 2019
Marshawn Lynch
The superstar running back is most famous for saying, “I’m just here so I don’t get fined.” However, Lynch was a force on the field, ending his 13-year career with five Pro Bowl selections and getting named to the All-2010s Hall of Fame team. Lynch retired after the 2015 season before returning in 2017 to play two years with the Oakland Raiders. He spent most of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, totaling over 6,300 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns in 83 games.
Darren Sproles
While he might have been the smallest guy on the field most Sundays, Sproles was one of the most dangerous. The explosive running back played for three teams during his 14-year NFL career, suiting up for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Sproles never had more than 603 rushing yards in a season. However, he was one of the first pass-catching specialist running backs in the NFL.
Demaryius Thomas
Sadly, Thomas passed away in December 2021. The former first-round pick was once one of the top wide receivers in the NFL during his time with the Denver Broncos. Thomas had over 1,300 receiving yards every year from 2012 through 2015, totaling double-digit touchdowns in three of those four seasons. The star wide receiver made the Pro Bowl five times in his 10-year career.
NFL players react to the news of Demaryius Thomas' death 🙏 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/v7AVZmKPSL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2021
Vernon Davis
Rarely do tight ends get picked early in the NFL draft. However, Davis was the sixth pick in 2006, making him the highest-drafted tight end at the time. The former Maryland star spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, totaling 13 or more receiving touchdowns in two seasons. He finished his career with the then-Washington Redskins, playing a leadership role for the team.
Joe Staley
The NFL is all about the quarterback position, including protecting it. Staley was one of the top offensive tackles in the league during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, he struggled with injuries, missing seven or more games multiple years. However, Staley made the Pro Bowl in six of his final nine seasons, earning three All-Pro selections.
Marshal Yanda
Yanda was a terrific example of what it meant to be a member of the Baltimore Ravens. The former Iowa star mostly played guard during his 13 years with Baltimore but also had experience at offensive tackle. He made the Pro Bowl in eight of his final nine seasons. Yanda will be one of two former Ravens eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025.
Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025 pic.twitter.com/1evWRwA39a
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) February 9, 2024
Travis Frederick
Unfortunately, Frederick missed the 2018 season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. While he returned to play all 16 games during the 2019 season, it was his final year in the NFL. The former Wisconsin star played six years in the league, making the Pro Bowl five times and an All-Pro time three times. While some will argue he shouldn’t make the Hall of Fame after playing only six years, Frederick was arguably the top center during his time in the league.
Ryan Kalil
There are several first-year eligible offensive linemen for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Unfortunately, Kalil will have an uphill fight to get into the Hall of Fame next year. However, the former USC star had an impressive career, making the Pro Bowl in five of his 12 seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Clay Matthews III
The former USC star is one of several Matthews to have an impressive NFL career. The grandson of Clay Matthews was outstanding during his time with the Green Bay Packers, totaling 83.5 sacks in 10 years with the franchise. He finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year award voting in his second NFL season. Matthews was one of the top pass rushers during his time in the league, making life miserable for opposing offensive linemen.
Clay Matthews III with the stab/club/arm over@claymatthews52 uses the inside hand to stab at the blocker's chest, takes it away as he clubs & finishes with the arm over! #passrush pic.twitter.com/JyMgyLqUxd
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) March 7, 2021
Terrell Suggs
Suggs was a surprise top-10 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Yet, the Baltimore Ravens were right, as the former Arizona State star had an outstanding career. He had a team-high 12 sacks as a rookie, accounting for 25.5% of the Ravens’ total. Suggs had double-digit sacks in seven seasons with Baltimore. The elite pass rusher won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2003 and the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011.
Cameron Wake
While he had an impressive NFL career, Wake has an uphill fight to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year. The former Penn State star went undrafted in 2009, but quickly showed the NFL they made a mistake. He had 14 sacks in his second season, earning All-Pro honors. Wake had double-digit sacks in five of his 10 years with the Miami Dolphins.
Luke Kuechly
The only first-time eligible player more likely to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame class next year than Eli Manning is Kuechly. The superstar linebacker won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012, followed by the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013. He made the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team every year in the NFL following his rookie season. After Patrick Willis got in this year, Kuechly is almost a lock to make the Hall of Fame next year.
Patrick Willis is deservingly headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Luke Kuechly is eligible next year.
So, yeah.#Panthers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Kb8XjDxOs4
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) February 9, 2024
Aqib Talib
Talib might be best known for his chain-snatching incidents with Michael Crabtree. However, the superstar cornerback had 35 interceptions in his 13-year career, totaling at least one with every franchise he played for. Not only could Talib force turnovers, but he turned them into points. The superstar had 10 pick-sixes in his career, including two in a season three times.
Earl Thomas
While some believe the safety position has become less meaningful in today’s NFL, Thomas was the clear-cut best during his time in the league. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and five All-Pro teams. Furthermore, the superstar is a member of the Hall of Fame 2010s team. After spending nine years with the Seattle Seahawks, Thomas’ career ended following one season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Adam Vinatieri
Last but certainly not least on the list is Vinatieri. The superstar kicker is a four-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time All-Pro team member, and part of the Hall of Fame 2010s team. Vinatieri had two separate careers, playing 10 years with the New England Patriots before spending 14 with the Indianapolis Colts. He converted over 81% of his field goal attempts with both teams and is arguably the greatest kicker of all time.
Adam Vinatieri turns 48 YO
Super Bowl Champ - 4x
All-Pro - 3x
Pro Bowl- 3x
HOF All 2000’s teamGame-winning kicks galore pic.twitter.com/EiDZVftOrT
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) December 28, 2020
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