2024 Pre-Season Rank #117, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #122, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #132 2021 Pre-Season Rank #101, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #100.  2018-19/2022-24

Last year, we said, “Barkley has a lot of catch-up to do regarding his initial Hall of Fame promise.  A player injured that badly and early always struggles, and Barkley is no different.”

Barkley is different.

No ranked player jumped higher than Barkley, who we feared injuries would take out of a Hall of Fame conversation.  Not only was he healthy on a new team (Philadelphia), but he is also a Super Bowl Champion and the defending Offensive Player of the Year.  He also joined the 2,000-Yard Rushing Club, won his first Rushing Title (2,005), his second APY Title (2,283), and, along with Derrick Henry, brought back the Running Back.

At home in Philadelphia, Barkley’s only issues will be with injury, and another monster year will put him in the Hall of Fame hunt.  We won’t bet against him again.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #16, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #55 Pre-Season Rank #66, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #76, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #81. Peak Period: 2017-18/2021-23

McCaffrey had a decent rookie year, a good second year, and a fantastic third season, where he led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,392) and Touchdowns (19).  The Running Back also rushed for over 1,000 Yards and caught passes for over 1,000 Yards, a rare feat!  Due to injury, he could not follow up in the two years that followed, but when he was healthy in 2022 and returned to Pro Bowl form, he was surrounded by a team that threw in the towel and traded him to San Francisco.  McCaffrey is one of the most versatile Running Backs, but his position is meant for ailments. 

In 2023, we said, “What he does in 2024 might decide whether he has a shot at the Hall”. McCaffrey’s response was to win his first Rushing Title (1,459) and Offensive Player of the Year while also topping the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,023) and Touchdowns (21) for the second time in his career.   How was that followed up?   With another injury, limiting him to four Games in 2024.

Approaching 30, McCaffrey feels like either a Hall of Famer or a player destined to spend half of his career on the IL.  If Canton calls, this season is critical.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #33, 2023 Pre-Season #28, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #33, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #48, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #66.  Peak Period: 2017-21

Alvin Kamara has never had a 1,000-Yard Rushing Season, but the Saints Running Back has been one of the most complete dual-threat Running Backs since he debuted in 2017.

Named to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, Kamara won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and was the league leader in Touchdowns (21) in 2020.  He might be slowing down, and if it's significant, his Hall of Fame chances will plummet, but as we enter 2025, Kamara is one of New Orleans’s top offensive weapons.

What he accomplishes in 2025 could tell the tale of his Hall of Fame chances.

2024 Pre-Season Rank #89, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #100, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #112. 2021 Pre-Season Rank #106, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #117.  Peak Period: 2017-19/2022-23

In 2018, Jared Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl appearance.  They did not win, and although he won two Pro Bowls, the Rams gave up on him and traded the Quarterback to the Detroit Lions.  In Stafford’s first season in L.A., he won a Super Bowl, making Goff look bad in the process, but years later, it is Goff and the Lions who are the superior team.

Goff brought Detroit to the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2022 and 2024.  Last season, Goff had his best year to date, throwing for 4,629 Yards and 37 Touchdowns, but the potent Lions were bounced early in the playoffs.  Nevertheless, Goff finished fifth in the MVP race and is still young and talented enough to take the talented Lions to a Super Bowl win.   If that happens, this will result in a colossal jump for Goff.