2026 PFHOF: who would you pick as the 15th finalist?

[readjack]

Looking at the 2026 ballot, it's possible that only one of the 15 finalist slots is actually in play. Here are the 14, who I will list by category and then alphabetically.

Four automatic selections due to finishing in last year's top 7:

1. Anderson
2. Holt
3. Kuechly
4. Vinatieri

Two first-ballot favorites who are locks as finalists:

5. Brees
6. Fitzgerald

Eight returning finalists:

7. Evans (top 10)
8. Manning (top 15)
9. Smith (top 15)
10. Suggs (top 15)
11. Taylor (top 15)
12. Wayne (top 15)
13. Woodson (top 10)
14. Yanda (top 10)

While past voting patterns have less relevance now with the new voting math, it's very possible that the above eight players are all back in the finals. I suppose voters could decide to slow down Eli, Steve Smith or one of the guards and send them back to the semis due to repetition at those positions, but it's not likely.

That leaves one finalist slot. I think voters will be inclined to give it to Philip Rivers, which would be a shame. We have All-Decade guys in their final two years of eligibility who have never been in the room: RICHMOND WEBB, CARNELL LAKE, STEVE WISNIEWSKI, MARK STEPNOSKI.

Only one eligible player in NFL history has won two major MVP awards and is not in Canton: RANDALL CUNNINGHAM. (1990 PFWA, 1998 NEA) He has never been in the room. RICKY WATTERS has 12 more rushing TDs than Fred Taylor and won on three franchises, setting records in San Fran for TDs in a playoff game (5) and tying for TDs in a Super Bowl (three). He's a 5x semifinalist, including four straight years, and he's never been in the room.

You also have mid-eligibility guys like NICK MANGOLD and KEVIN WILLIAMS who have been eligible for a while now without even hitting the semis. RODNEY HARRISON was a finalist two years ago and sent back to the semis. STEVE MCNAIR was 91-62 as a starter, split an MVP with Peyton Manning and was one yard away from sending a Super Bowl to overtime. DONOVAN MCNABB was 98-62-1 as a starter and brought the Eagles to five NFC title games and one Super Bowl with only one season with an elite offensive playmaker teammate, maybe two if you count Westbrook in 2007. LOMAS BROWN made seven straight Pro Bowls.

There are a lot of options and I hope voters honor the whole ballot instead of just slotting in Rivers.

Who would you take for that 15th slot?

[rewing84]

Ricky Watters

[readjack]

I would love that!

[SeahawkFever]

Looking at the 2026 ballot, it's possible that only one of the 15 finalist slots is actually in play. Here are the 14, who I will list by category and then alphabetically.

Four automatic selections due to finishing in last year's top 7:

1. Anderson
2. Holt
3. Kuechly
4. Vinatieri

Two first-ballot favorites who are locks as finalists:

5. Brees
6. Fitzgerald

Eight returning finalists:

7. Evans (top 10)
8. Manning (top 15)
9. Smith (top 15)
10. Suggs (top 15)
11. Taylor (top 15)
12. Wayne (top 15)
13. Woodson (top 10)
14. Yanda (top 10)

While past voting patterns have less relevance now with the new voting math, it's very possible that the above eight players are all back in the finals. I suppose voters could decide to slow down Eli, Steve Smith or one of the guards and send them back to the semis due to repetition at those positions, but it's not likely.

That leaves one finalist slot. I think voters will be inclined to give it to Philip Rivers, which would be a shame. We have All-Decade guys in their final two years of eligibility who have never been in the room: RICHMOND WEBB, CARNELL LAKE, STEVE WISNIEWSKI, MARK STEPNOSKI.

Only one eligible player in NFL history has won two major MVP awards and is not in Canton: RANDALL CUNNINGHAM. (1990 PFWA, 1998 NEA) He has never been in the room. RICKY WATTERS has 12 more rushing TDs than Fred Taylor and won on three franchises, setting records in San Fran for TDs in a playoff game (5) and tying for TDs in a Super Bowl (three). He's a 5x semifinalist, including four straight years, and he's never been in the room.

You also have mid-eligibility guys like NICK MANGOLD and KEVIN WILLIAMS who have been eligible for a while now without even hitting the semis. RODNEY HARRISON was a finalist two years ago and sent back to the semis. STEVE MCNAIR was 91-62 as a starter, split an MVP with Peyton Manning and was one yard away from sending a Super Bowl to overtime. DONOVAN MCNABB was 98-62-1 as a starter and brought the Eagles to five NFC title games and one Super Bowl with only one season with an elite offensive playmaker teammate, maybe two if you count Westbrook in 2007. LOMAS BROWN made seven straight Pro Bowls.

There are a lot of options and I hope voters honor the whole ballot instead of just slotting in Rivers.

Who would you take for that 15th slot?

I would take one of the four all decade guys in their last two seasons on the regular ballot.

[rewing84]

I would love that!

so would i one can dream

[Brian wolf]

Like Eric Allen, Wisniewski and Webb have a chance to get heard before the dreaded senior abyss but they also may cancel each other out. I dont feel Eli will make the Final 15 this year, so I am hoping its time Wiz and Earl Thomas advance. The trinity of Legion Of Boom mates are going to eventually get elected and Thomas or Sherman will be first.

I would also replace Fred Taylor for Kevin Williams, but run-stuffing defensive tackles, just arent remembered by voters.