2026 52 Modern-era candidiates

[JohnTurney]

The 52 Modern-Era Players whose names now move to the full Selection Committee for further
consideration for election as members of the Class of 2026 are:



QUARTERBACKS (3): Drew Brees, *Eli Manning, Philip Rivers.

RUNNING BACKS (8): Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean
McCoy, Lorenzo Neal (FB), *Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters.

WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, *Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, *Steve
Smith Sr., Hines Ward, *Reggie Wayne.
TIGHT ENDS (2): Greg Olsen, Jason Witten.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): *Willie Anderson (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), *Jahri
Evans (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Maurkice Pouncey (C),
Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), *Marshal Yanda (G).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): John Abraham (DE also LB), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata
(DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT).

LINEBACKERS (4): London Fletcher, James Harrison, *Luke Kuechly, *Terrell Suggs.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Rodney Harrison (S), Asante Samuel (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles
Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), *Darren Woodson (S).

PUNTERS/KICKERS (3): Gary Anderson (K), Shane Lechler (P), *Adam Vinatieri (K).

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB).

[rewing84]

i was able to get 42/52 right

[readjack]

Greg Olsen was an awesome Bear who we should have never traded, as evidenced by him being even better in Carolina. He seems roundly regarded as a great teammate and good dude. I enjoy him as an announcer.

I'm stunned to see him on this list.

The 52 Modern-Era Players whose names now move to the full Selection Committee for further
consideration for election as members of the Class of 2026 are:



QUARTERBACKS (3): Drew Brees, *Eli Manning, Philip Rivers.

RUNNING BACKS (8): Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean
McCoy, Lorenzo Neal (FB), *Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters.

WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, *Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, *Steve
Smith Sr., Hines Ward, *Reggie Wayne.
TIGHT ENDS (2): Greg Olsen, Jason Witten.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): *Willie Anderson (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), *Jahri
Evans (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Maurkice Pouncey (C),
Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), *Marshal Yanda (G).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): John Abraham (DE also LB), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata
(DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT).

LINEBACKERS (4): London Fletcher, James Harrison, *Luke Kuechly, *Terrell Suggs.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Rodney Harrison (S), Asante Samuel (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles
Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), *Darren Woodson (S).

PUNTERS/KICKERS (3): Gary Anderson (K), Shane Lechler (P), *Adam Vinatieri (K).

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB).

[Brian wolf]

We will see how far Williams can advance, with Atkins at DT not moving forward ...

[Brian wolf]

I dunno, you already have Vinatieri automatically qualified for the final 15 players; so why advance Gary Anderson? Yes, he is qualified and probably had a HOF career but the odds of two kickers making the final 15 are unreal. Why not just have Vinny so another worthy player can have a chance to advance? Lechler as a punter and Mitchell as a returner, have their chances but Mitchell wont get elected because of Hester's election.

I understand the need for players to advance and gain queue momentum, but these are two, maybe three spots that are basically wasted, while other players, like Geno Atkins, Tom Nalen, Olin Kreutz, Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander, Carnell Lake and others cant advance.

If there ever was a player who deserves a Terrell Davis, injury shortened look, its Navarro Bowman, who was dominant before a knee injury ended his career. Like his fellow short careered linebacker teammate in Patrick Willis, they were both All-Pro over four or more times and some thought Bowman was even better before his injuries derailed him.

Because of a lack of team SB success, which could hurt fellow teammate, Vernon Davis at TE as well, Bowman probably wont get elected, but what if the 49ers had won the SB in 2011, 2012, or 2013? ... would these players had gotten a better chance? We will see how far Frank Gore advances in the process ...

[Gary Najman]

With the death of Nick Mangold I think he has a chance to advancing. RIP, he is a eserving Hall of Famer.

[Brian wolf]

Mangold could get Steve McMichael sympathy votes but its hard for centers to get elected.

RIP

[rewing84]

Mangold could get Steve McMichael sympathy votes but its hard for centers to get elected.

RIP

agreed its very very hard for a center to get into the hall of fame

[JohnTurney]

Tackles will be interesting. Willie Anderson has been in discussion for a few years. There are good pitches for Richmond Webb and Lomas Brown

Barry Sanders sent a letter to all the voters and his time running out (also Webb getting close)

Have no idea if the pushes for Brown and Webb will take a little of Anderson's momentum. But it is possible there will be some affect.

[Ken Crippen]

Tackles will be interesting. Willie Anderson has been in discussion for a few years. There are good pitches for Richmond Webb and Lomas Brown

Barry Sanders sent a letter to all the voters and his time running out (also Webb getting close)

Have no idea if the pushes for Brown and Webb will take a little of Anderson's momentum. But it is possible there will be some affect.

It is interesting that the Lions have made this public of a push for Lomas Brown after the backlash from Stacey James pushing for Robert Kraft. Of course, the Lions' push is not at the same level as James, but I thought it was interesting when I opened my inbox to get the emails from the Lions and from Barry Sanders. I had Lomas Brown on my podcast to talk about the push from the Lions. He was obviously flattered.