For us at Notinhalloffame.com, this is our march toward our Christmas. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the Modern-Era Preliminary Nominees for the Class of 2024, a total of 173 former players, which we believe has to be a record.
To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least 5 years ago:
*means they were a preliminary candidate last year.
**means they are eligible for the first time.
Quarterbacks (10): (up from 6 last year)
Marc Bulger: 2002-09: STL. Bulger went to two Pro Bowls and threw for over 22,000 Yards.
*Randall Cunningham: 1985-01, PHI, MIN, DAL, BAL. Cunningham is a three-time Bert Bell Award winner a four-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jake Delhomme: 1999-11, NOR, CAR, HOU. Delhomme went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and he would throw for over 20,000 Yards.
Doug Flutie: 1986-89 & 1998-05. Flutie played many years in the CFL and went to the Pro Bowl in his return year in 1998.
Rich Gannon: 1987-04, MIN, WAS, KAN, OAK. Gannon was a four-time Pro Bowler who won the 2002 AP MVP. The two-time First Team All-Pro threw for 28,743 Yards and 180 Touchdowns. Ranked #291 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jeff Garcia: 1999-09, SFO, CLE, DET, PHI, TAM. Garcia was a four-time Pro Bowler and would throw for over 25,000 Passing Yards.
*Donovan McNabb: 1999-01, PHI, WAS, MIN. McNabb took the Eagles to the Super Bowl and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He threw for 37,276 Yards with 234 Touchdowns and ran for another 3,459 Yards and 29 TDs. Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Steve McNair: 1995-2007, HOU, TEN, BAL. McNair was a three-time Pro Bowl and former MVP. He threw for 31,204 Yards and 174 Touchdowns. Ranked #121 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Tony Romo: 2004-16, DAL. Romo went to four Pro Bowls and amassed 34,183 Passing Yards and 248 Touchdown Passes.
Michael Vick: 2001-06 & 2009-15, ATL, PHI. Vick went to four Pro Bowls and won the 2010 Bert Bell Award. He threw for 22,464 Yards and 133 Touchdowns, and rushed for 6,109 Yards and 36 Touchdowns. Ranked #269 on Notinhalloffame.com.
(Quarterbacks added: Marc Bulger, Doug Flutie, Rich Gannon, Tony Romo & Michael Vick. Quarterbacks removed: Dave Krieg.)
Running Backs (33): (Up from 17 last year)
*Shaun Alexander: 2000-08, SEA, PHI. Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls and in the last one he won the Rushing Title and was named the AP MVP. Alexander retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns. Ranked #79 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Terry Allen: 1991-01, MIN, WAS, NEW, NOR, BAL. Allen went to one Pro Bowl and compiled 10,215 Yards From Scrimmage and 79 Touchdowns.
Jamal Anderson: 1994-01, ATL. In 1998, Anderson was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection who had 5,336 career Rushing Yards.
*Mike Alstott (FB): 1996-06, TAM. Alstott won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro. He would total 7,373 Yards From Scrimmage with 71 Touchdowns. Ranked #150 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Tiki Barber: 1997-06, NYG. Barber rushed for over 10,000 Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He also caught another 5,000 Yards and was a two-time leader in Yards From Scrimmage. Ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Michael Bates (KR): 1993-03, SEA, CLE, CAR, WAS, DAL, NYJ. Bates went to five Pro Bowls as a Kick Returner and compiled 9,348 All-Purpose Yards.
*Larry Centers: 1990-03, PHO, ARI, WAS, BUF, NWE. Centers was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and totalled 8,985 Yards From Scrimmage.
**Jamaal Charles: 2008-18, KAN, DEN, JAX. Charles went to four Pro Bowls, was a two-time First Team All-Pro and in a career spent mostly in Kansas City, would net 10,156 Yards From Scrimmage.
Stephen Davis: 1996-06, WAS, CAR, STL. Davis rushed for just over 8,000 Yards and 65 Touchdowns while going to three Pro Bowls.
*Corey Dillon: 1997-06, CIN, NWE. Dillon won the Super Bowl with the Patriots and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection. Dillon accumulated 13,335 All-Purpose Yards over his career.
Warrick Dunn: 1997-08, TAM, ATL. Dunn was the 1997 Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Pro Bowler who rushed for 10,957 Yards and 49 Touchdowns.
Charlie Garner: 1994-04, PHI, SFO, OAK, TAM. Garner was a one-time Pro Bowl honoree and would rush for 7,097 Yards with 39 Touchdowns.
*Eddie George: 1996-04, HOU, TEN, DAL. George went to four straight Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000. He would rush for 10,441 Yards. Ranked #171 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ahman Green: 1998-08, GB, HOU. Green went to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-04) and accrued 12,088 Yards From Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns.
*Priest Holmes: 1997-07, BAL, KC. Winning the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, Holmes had greater individual success with the Chiefs where he was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He would tabulate 11,134 Yards From Scrimmage. Ranked #130 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Steven Jackson: 2004-15, STL, ATL, NWE. Jackson accrued 15,121 Yards From Scrimmage and 78 Touchdowns. He is the Rams’ all-time leading rusher. Ranked #193 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Chris Johnson: 2008-17, TEN, NYJ, ARI. Johnson won the 2009 Offensive Player of the Year Award in a campaign where he set the single-season record for Yards From Scrimmage (2,509). He rushed for 9,651 Yards over his career.
Daryl Johnston (FB): 1998-98, DAL. Johnston was the Fullback for the three Super Bowl Championship Teams in Dallas, and he also went to two Pro Bowls.
Thomas Jones: 2000-11, ARI, TAM, CHI, NYJ, KAN. Jones is a member of the 10,000 Yard Rushing Club (10,591) and also had 68 TDs on the ground. He also went to one Pro Bowl.
John Kuhn (FB): 2006-17, PIT, GNB, NOR. Kuhn was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro who won a Super Bowl with the Packers.
*Vonta Leach (FB): 2004-13, GNB, NO, HOU, BAL. Leach won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and was a three-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro at Fullback.
Dorsey Levens: 1994-04, GNB, PHI, NYG. Levens won a Super Bowl and went to a Pro Bowl as a Packer. He would also accumulate 7,288 All-Purpose Yards with 53 Touchdowns.
*Jamal Lewis: 2000-09, BAL, CLE. In 2003, Lewis entered rarified air as he entered the 2,000-Yard club when he went for 2,006. He would rush for 10,607 Yards. Ranked #227 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Eric Metcalf (Also WR/PR/KR): 1989-02, CLE, ATL, SDG, ARI, CAR, WAS, GNB. Incredibly versatile, Metcalf was also used as a Wide Receiver and Returner and the three-time Pro Bowler would total 17,230 All-Purpose Yards.
Glyn Milburn (Also WR & KR): 1993-01, DET, CHI, SDG. Milburn went to two Pro Bowls as a Kick Returner and had 14,911 All-Purpose Yards.
*Lorenzo Neal (FB): 1993-08, NOR, NYJ, TAM, TEN, CIN, SDG, BAL. Playing at Fullback, Neal would go to four Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.
Tony Richardson (FB): 1995-10, KAN, MIN, NYJ. Richardson was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection
Robert Smith: 1991-00, MIN. Smith went to two Pro Bowls, retired in his prime, and had 6,818 Rushing Yards with 33 Touchdowns.
*Fred Taylor: 1998-10, JAX, NWE. Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007 and would accumulate 14,079 Yards From Scrimmage, 11,695 on the ground. Ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Warren: 1990-00, SEA, DAL, PHI. Warren went to three straight Pro Bowls (1993-95) and rushed for 7,696 Yards and 52 Touchdowns.
*Ricky Watters: 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA. Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and he would go to the Pro Bowl in his first five years in the NFL. He would lead the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage in 1996 and would have 14,891 in total. Ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Brian Westbrook: 2002-10, PHI, SFO. Westbrook went to two Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage in 2007. He had over 11,000 All-Purpose Yards.
Ricky Williams: 1999-11, NO, MIA, BAL. Williams won the 2002 Rushing Title and went to the Pro Bowl and was named a First Team All-Pro that year. He compiled 10,009 Rushing Yards with 66 Touchdowns.
(Running Backs added: Terry Allen, Jamal Anderson, Michael Bates, Jamaal Charles, Stephen Davis, Charlie Garner, Ahman Green, Daryl Johnston, Thomas Jones, John Kuhn, Dorsey Levens, Glyn Milburn, Tony Richardson, Robert Smith, Chris Warren and Ricky Williams. Running Backs removed: None.)
Wide Receivers (23): (Up From 20 Last Year)
*Anquan Boldin: 2003-16, ARI, BAL, SFO. A three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Boldin had seven 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons, tallying 13,779 in total with 82 Touchdowns. Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Troy Brown (Also PR/KR): 1993-07, NWE. A Pro Bowler in 2001, Brown had 6,366 Receiving Yards with another 4,487 Yards in the return game. Brown won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.
*Donald Driver: 1999-12, GNB. Driver was a Super Bowl Champion with the Packers where he would also go to three Pro Bowls. He would accumulate 10,137 Receiving Yards.
Antonio Freeman: 1995-03, GNB, PHI. Freeman won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was leading receiver in 1998. He amassed 7,251 Receiving Yards with 61 Touchdowns.
*Irving Fryar: 1984-00, NE, MIA, PHI, WAS. Fryar was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and a former First Overall Pick. He accumulated 12,785 Receiving Yards with 84 Touchdowns. Ranked #141 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dante Hall (Also KR/PR): 2000-08, KAN, STL. Hall was twice a Pro Bowler and a one-time First Team All-Pro as a Returner. He compiled 14,386 All-Purpose Yards.
*Devin Hester (Also KR/PR): 2006-16, CHI, ATL BAL, SEA. Hester might be listed first as a Wide Receiver, but his three First Team All-Pros and four Pro Bowls came as a Returner. In his first year of eligibility, Hester had 14,455 All-Purpose Yards. He was a Finalist last year. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Torry Holt: 1999-09, STL, JAX. A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice. He finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs. Holt was a Finalist last year. Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Joe Horn: 1996-07, KAN, NOR, ATL. Horn was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Saints, and had 8,744 Receiving Yards with 58 Touchdowns.
*Andre Johnson: 2003-16, HOU, IND, TEN. Johnson led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice with 14,185 in total, 13,597 of which was as a Texan. Johnson went to seven Pro Bowls, earned two First Team All-Pros, and is his in his first year of eligibility. Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Chad Johnson: 2001-11, CIN, NWE. Johnson went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and he would accumulate 11,059 Receiving Yards, punching 67 of them into the end zone. “Ocho Cinco” was also a First Team All-Pro twice. Ranked #146 on Notinhalloffame.com.
**Brandon Marshall: 2006-18. Marshall was a six-time Pro Bowler and one was a First Team All-Pro. He amassed 12,351 Yards with 83 Touchdowns. Ranked #166 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Derrick Mason: 1997-11, TEN, BAL. Mason would record 12,061 Receiving Yards and was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice. Ranked #224 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Herman Moore: 1991-02, DET, NYG. Moore went to four consecutive Pro Bowls (1994-97) and earned three straight First Team All-Pros (1995-97). He twice led the NFL in Receptions, and had 9,174 Yards with 62 TDs.
*Muhsin Muhammad: 1996-09, CAR, CHI. Muhammad led all NFL Wide Receivers in Yards in 2004, which was the season he was chosen as a First Team All-Pro. He would net 11,438 Receiving Yards in total.
Jordy Nelson: 2008-18, GNB. Nelson had 72 Touchdowns, 8,587 Yards and a Super Bowl Ring with Green Bay. He also went to one Pro Bowl.
*Andre Rison: 1989-00, ATL, CLE, GNB, JAX, KAN, OAK. Rison went to the Pro Bowls five times, four with Atlanta, where he led the NFL Touchdown Receptions in 1993. He had 84 Touchdowns with 10,205 career Receiving Yards. Ranked #195 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jimmy Smith: 1992-05, DAL, JAX. Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01) and in 1999 he led the NFL in Receptions. He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns. Ranked #179 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Rod Smith: 1995-06, DEN. Smith would win two Super Bowls with the Broncos and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. He recorded 11,389 Yards with 68 TDs. Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Steve Smith: 2001-16, CAR, BAL. Smith led the NFL in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Receiving Touchdowns in 2005, and he was a two-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. Smith accumulated 14,731 Yards with 81 TDs. Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Hines Ward: 1998-11, PIT. Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them. A previous Semi-Finalist, he has four Pro Bowls, 85 Touchdowns and 12,083 Yards on his resume. Ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Reggie Wayne: 2001-12, IND. Wayne was a career-Colt, winning a Super Bowl there, while earning six Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro. He led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 2007, and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Finalist. He also has 82 Touchdowns. Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Wes Welker: 2004-15, MIA, SDG, NEW, DEN, STL. Welker led the NFL three times in Receptions and the five-time Pro Bowl Selection had 9,924 career Receiving Yards. Ranked #161 on Notinhalloffame.com.
(Wide Receivers Added: Antonio Freeman, Dante Hall, Brandon Marshall, Herman Moore & Jordy Nelson, Wide Receivers Removed: Henry Ellard & Roddy White)
Tight Ends (3): (No Change from Last Year)
Antonio Gates: 2003-18, SDG, LAC. Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011, and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards. Ranked #4 on Norinhalloffame.com.
*Ben Coates: 1991-00, NWE, BAL. Coates was a Pro Bowler in five straight years from 1994 to 1998 and was a two-time First Team All-Pro. He would accumulate 5,555 Yards with 50 Touchdowns. Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Wesley Walls: 1989-03, SFO, NOR, CAR, GNB. Walls was named to the Pro Bowl five times when he was with the Carolina Panthers. He would have 5,291 Yards with 54 TDs in his career. Ranked #297 on Notinhalloffame.com.
(Tight Ends added: Antonio Gates, Tight Ends removed, Dallas Clark)
Offensive Lineman (25): (Up from 20 Last Year)
*Willie Anderson (T): 1996-08, CIN, BAL. Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy. Anderson was a surprise Finalist last year. Ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bruce Armstrong (T): 1987-00, NWE. Armstrong went to six Pro Bowls in a career spent entirely with the Patriots. Ranked #202 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Matt Birk (C): 1998-12, MIN, BAL. Birk is a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and would prior have six Pro Bowls as a Minnesota Viking. Ranked #144 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Lomas Brown (T): 1985-02, DET, ARI, CLE, NYG, TAM. Brown had seven straight Pro Bowls (1990-96) and in his last season in the NFL, he would win a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. Ranked #162 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Ruben Brown (G): 1995-07, BUF, CHI. Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started all of his 181 Games. Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jahri Evans (G): 2006-17. Evans went to six Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in four of them. He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints and is in his first year of eligibility. Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Kevin Glover (C/G): 1985-99, DET, SEA. Glover was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection at Center with the Lions.
*Olin Kreutz (C): 1998-11, CHI, NOR. Kreutz went to six Pro Bowls and was also a one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.
**T.J Lang (T): 2009-18, GNB, DET. Lang won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was twice a Pro Bowler.
Matt Light (T): 2001-11, NWE. Light won three Super Bowls with New England and was also a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. He also has a First Team All-Pro on his ledger.
*Nick Mangold (C): 2008-16, NYJ. Mangold played his entire career with the Jets, where he went to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #242 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Logan Mankins (G): 2005-15, NWE, TAM. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard. Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Tom Nalen (C): 1994-07, DEN. Nalen won two Super Bowls with the Broncos and was chosen for five Pro Bowls and was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com. Ranked #142 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Nate Newton (G/T): 1986-99 DAL. Newton went to six Pro Bowls, two First Team All-Pros and won three Super Bowl Rings with the Cowboys. Ranked #182 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jeff Saturday (C): 1999-02, IND, GNB. Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and he was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Mark Schlereth (G/C): 1989-00, WAS, DEN. Schlereth won three Super Bowls and went to two Pro Bowls.
**Josh Sitton (G): 2008-18, GNB, CHI, MIA. Sitton went to four Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Green Bay.
*Chris Snee (G): 2004-13, NYG. Snee was a two-time Super Bowl Champion who played all 141 of his Games starting at Right Guard. He was also a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.
Mark Stepnoski (C): 1989-01, DAL, HOU, TEN. Stepnoski won three Super Bowls with Dallas and had a five-year run of Pro Bowls (1992-96). Ranked #181 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dave Szott (G): 1990-03, KAN, WAS, NYJ. Szott was a First Team All-Pro in 1997.
Max Unger (C): 2009-18, SEA, NO. Unger won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.
*Brian Waters (G): 2000-13, KAN, NWE, DAL. Waters would go to six Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #184 on Notinhalloffame.com
*Richmond Webb (T): 1990-02, MIA, CIN. Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons with two of them earning First Team All-Pro nods. Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Erik Williams (T): 1991-01, DAL, BAL. Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and he went to four Pro Bowls.
*Steve Wisniewski (G): 1989-01, RAI, OAK. A previous Semi-Finalist, Wisniewski played his entire career with the Raiders and he was an eight-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.
(Offensive Lineman added: Bruce Armstrong, T.J. Lang, Matt Light Josh Sitton, Mark Stepnoski, Dave Szott & Max Unger Offensive Lineman removed: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Jordan Gross & Joe Thomas)
Defensive Linemen: (20) (Up from 14 Last Year)
*John Abraham (DE, also LB): 2000-14, NYJ, ATL, ARI. Recording 133.5 Sacks, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Jared Allen (DE): 2004-15, KAN, MIN, CHI, CAR. Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks and would have 136.0 in total. In his first three years of eligibility, Allen was a Finalist, and he was a five-time Pro Bowler, and was a First Team All-Pro in four of those years. Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Dwight Freeney (DE): 2002-17, IND, SD, ARI, DET, SEA. Freeney won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis, the team he went to all seven of his Pro Bowls with. A three-time First Team All-Pro, Freeney had 125.5 Sacks. Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*La’Roi Glover (DT/NT): 1996-08, OAK, NOR, DAL, STL. Glover was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection and in 2000 he would lead the NFL in Sacks and was also a First Team All-Pro that year. He would have 83.5 career Sacks. Ranked #208 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Casey Hampton (DT/NT): 2001-12, PIT. Hampton played his entire career with the Steelers where he won two Super Bowls and was chosen for five Pro Bowls. Ranked #270 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Robert Mathis (DE): 2003-16, IND. Mathis won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and thrice led the NFL in Forced Fumbles. He had 123 career Sacks, leading the NFL in that category in 2013, which was also his only First Team All-Pro. Mathis went to five Pro Bowls. Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.
**Haloti Ngata (DT): 2006-18, BAL, DET, PHI. Ngata won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, where he went to five straight Pro Bowls (2009-13) and earned two First Team All-Pro Selections. Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Leslie O’Neal (DE): 1986-99, SDG, STL, KAN. O’Neal was a six-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Chargers and was the 1986 Defensive Rookie of the Year. O’Neal had 132.5 career Sacks. Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.
**Julius Peppers (DE): 2002-18, CAR, CHI, GNB. Peppers had nine Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros and 159.5 Sacks over his stellar career. Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Simeon Rice (DE): 1996-07, ARI, TAM, IND, DEN. Rice won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He would have 122.0 Sacks over his career. Ranked #133 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Justin Smith (DE): 2001-14, CIN, SFO. Smith went on a five-year streak in the second half of his career of Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro in the middle of it. He had 87.0 career Sacks. Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Neil Smith (DE): 1988-00, KAN, DEN, SDG. Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993. He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and had 104.5 career Sacks. Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dana Stubblefield (DT): 1993-03, SFO, WAS, OAK. Stubblefield won the 1997 Defensive Player of the Year, and was a three-time Pro Bowler while with San Francisco, the team he won a Super Bowl ring with.
Henry Thomas (DT/NT): 1987-00, MIN, DET, NWE. Thomas was in the Pro Bowl and had 93.5 Sacks.
*Justin Tuck (DE): 2005-15, NYG, OAK. Tuck was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion as a Giant.
Ted Washington (NT/DT): 1991-07, SFO, BUF, CHI, NWE, OAK, CLE. Washington won a Super Bowl early in his career with San Francisco, and later was named to four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.
*Vince Wilfork (DT/NT): 2004-16, NE, HOU. Wilfork won two Super Bowls with the Patriots while individually earning five Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. Ranked #140 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jamal Williams (DT/NT): 1998-10, SDG, DEN. Williams had three Pro Bowls in his career, with two First Team All-Pros.
*Kevin Williams (DT/DE): 2003-15, MIN, SEA, NOR. Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mostly in Minnesota. He is entering his first year of eligibility. Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Williams (DT): 1997-10, BUF, MIN. This Williams played with the above Williams to form the “Williams Wall” in Minnesota. Williams was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection when he was a Viking.
(Defensive Lineman added: Haloti Ngata, Julius Peppers, Dana Stubblefield, Henry Thomas, Ted Washington, Jamal Williams & Pat Williams, Defensive Lineman removed: Clyde Simmons)
Linebackers: (25) (Up from 17 last year)
*Jessie Armstead: 1993-03, NYG, WAS. Armstead went to five straight Pro Bowls and amassed 971 Tackles and 40.0 Sacks.
Brendon Ayanbadejo: 2003-12, MIA, CHI, BAL. Ayanbadejo went to three straight Pro Bowls (2006-08).
*Cornelius Bennett: 1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND. Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and he was a First Team All-Pro in 1988. He had 71.5 Sacks and 1,190 Combined Tackles. Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*NaVorro Bowman: 2010-17, SF, OAK. Bowman was a four-time First Team All-Pro with 798 career Tackles. Ranked #241 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Lance Briggs: 2003-14, CHI. Briggs went to seven straight Pro Bowls (2005-11) and he was a First Team All-Pro in the first year of that streak. He had 1,181 career Combined Tackles, 16 Interceptions and 15.0 Sacks. Ranked #118 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Keith Brooking: 1998-2012, ATL, DAL, DEN. Brooking was a Pro Bowler in five straight years while playing for Atlanta (2001-05). He had 1,440 Combined Tackles. Ranked #261 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Tedy Bruschi: 1996-08, NWE. Bruschi won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.
Karlos Dansby: 2004-17, ARI, CLE, CIN. Dansby had 20 Interceptions and 43 Sacks over his long career.
Donnie Edwards: 1996-08, KAN, SDG. Edwards went to one Pro Bowl and led the league in Tackles in 2004. He had 1,501 career Tackles
*James Farrior: 1997-11, NYJ, PIT. Farrior had 1,440 Tackles and 35.5 Sacks over his long career, and he was also a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers.
*London Fletcher: 1998-13, STL, BUF, WAS. Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams and late on his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row as a Redskin. He would accumulate over 2,000 Combined Tackles over his career. Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*James Harrison: 2002-17, PIT, CIN, NEW. Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers, and had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls. The two-time First Team All-Pro won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award, and is in his first year of eligibility. Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Izzo: 1996-08, MIA, NWE, NYJ. Izzo went to three Pro Bowls as a Special Teams player and he won three Super Bowls with New England.
*Willie McGinest (Also DE): 1994-08, NWE, CLE. Twice named to the Pro Bowl, McGinest won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. He accumulated 86.0 Sacks over his career.
Hardy Nickerson: 1987-02, PIT, TAM, JAX, GNB. Nickerson was at his best in Tampa, obtaining all five of his Pro Bowls and both of his First Team All-Pros there. He had 1,586 Tackles over his career. Ranked #139 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ken Norton Jr.: 1988-00, DAL, SFO. Norton Jr won three Super Bowls (two with Dallas and one with San Francisco), and he went to three Pro Bowls. He also had a First Team All-Pro (1995), and recorded 1,272 Tackles.
Bryce Paup: 1990-00, GNB, BUF, JAX, MIN. Paup was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, which was in the middle of his four consecutive Pro Bowls. He had 75 Sacks over his career.
Julian Peterson: 2000-10, SFO, SEA, DET. Peterson went to five Pro Bowls, secured a First Team All-Pro and had 51.5 Sacks Ranked #286 on Notinhalloffame.com
Joey Porter: 1999-11, PIT, MIA, ARI. A Four-time Pro Bowl, Porter added a First Team All-Pro and won a Super Bowl with the Steelers. He had 98 Sacks over his career. Ranked #194 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Takeo Spikes: 1998-12, CIN, BUF, PHI, SFO, SDG. Spikes was chosen for two Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2004. He was also one Interception shy of the 20-20 club and he accumulated 1,431 career Combined Tackles.
Jessie Tuggle: 1987-00, ATL. A Falcon for his entire career, Tuggle led the NFL in Tackles four times, retiring with 1,805 in total. He also went to five Pro Bowls. Ranked #119 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Vrabel: 1997-10, PIT, NWE. Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and in one season, he was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. He had 57 Sacks over his career.
*Patrick Willis: 2007-14, SFO. Willis had a brief but potent career where in his eight seasons he went to seven Pro Bowls and earned six First Team All-Pros. He led the NFL in Combined Tackles twice and had 950 in total. He was a Finalist last year. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Al Wilson: 1996-06, DEN. Wilson played his entire career with the Broncos where he was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection.
Lee Woodall: 1994-01, SF, CAR, DEN. Woodall won a Super Bowl with the 49ers where he was also a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.
(Linebackers added: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Keith Brooking, Karlos Dansby, Donnie Edwards, Larry Izzo, Hardy Nickerson, Ken Norton Jr., Bryce Paup, Julian Peterson, Joey Porter, Jessie Tuggle, Mike Vrabel & Lee Woodall. Linebackers removed: Chad Brown, Seth Joyner, Pat Swilling, Zach Thomas & DeMarcus Ware)
Defensive Backs: (17) (Down from 19 Last Year)
*Eric Allen (CB): 1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK. Allen secured 54 Interceptions and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one of them earning a First Team All-Pro Selection. Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dre Bly (DB): 1999-09, ST, DET, DEN, SFO. Bly won a Super Bowl with the Rams and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. He had 43 career Interceptions.
*Kam Chancellor (S): 2010-17, SEA. Chancellor is in his first year of eligibility, and the former Seahawk won a Super Bowl while going to do four Pro Bowls over his career.
*Nick Collins (S): 2005-11, GNB. Collins won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and was a Pro Bowler three times. He would lead the NFL in Interception Return Yards in 2008 and had 21 career Interceptions.
*Antonio Cromartie (CB): 2006-16, SDG, NYJ, ARI, IND. Cromartie went to four Pro Bowls, going to the First Team All-Pro in 2007, the same season he led the NFL in Interceptions with 10. Cromartie had 31 picks over his career and is Hall of Fame eligible for the first time.
*Merton Hanks (S): 1991-98, SFO, SEA. Hanks won a Super Bowl with the Niners and was also a Pro Bowl Selection four times. He recorded 33 career Interceptions.
*Rodney Harrison (S): 1994-08, SDG, NWE. Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and he was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice. He would have 34 career Interceptions and 1,206 Combined Tackles.
Carnell Lake (S). 1988-01, PIT, BAL. Lake was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.
*Tim McDonald (S): 1987-99, STL, PHO, SFO. McDonald recorded 40 Interceptions and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He would win a Super Bowl with the 49ers and had 40 Interceptions and 1,139 Combined Tackles. Ranked #271 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Eugene Robinson (DB): 1985-00 SEA, GNB, ATL, CAR. Robinson had 57 Interceptions, 1,413 Tackles, and a Super Bowl Ring with Green Bay. He also went to three Pro Bowls.
Samari Rolle (DB): 1998-08 TEN, BAL. Rolle went to the Pro Bowl and had a First Team All-Pro in 2000, and had 31 Interceptions.
*Allen Rossum (CB): 1998-09, PHI, GNB, ATL, PIT, SFO. DAL. Rossum is listed as a Cornerback, but he was more of a Returner. He was a Pro Bowler in 2004 and had 15,046 All-Purpose Yards.
*Bob Sanders (S): 2004-11, IND, SDG. Sanders only played 50 Games but was the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year and is the owner of a Super Bowl Ring with the Colts.
*Charles Tillman (CB): 2004-11, CHI, CAR. Tillman is in his first year of eligibility and he was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection. He would have 38 career Interceptions with 930 Combined Tackles.
*Troy Vincent (CB): 1992-06, MIA, PHI, BUF, WAS. Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively when he was with the Eagles. He would earn First Team All-Pro honors in 2002 and had 47 Interceptions and 893 Combined Tackles. Ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Antoine Winfield (DB): 1999-12, BUF, MIN. Winfield went to three straight Pro Bowls (2008-10) and had 27 Interceptions with 1,094 Combined Tackles.
*Darren Woodson (S): 1992-03, DAL. A part of the Cowboys three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, Woodson was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro. He has been a Semi-Finalist before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles. Ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.
(Defensive Backs added: Dre Bly, Carnell Lake, Eugene Robinson, Samari Rolle & Antoine Winfield Defensive Backs removed: Ronde Barber, Albert Lewis, Terry McDaniel, Darrelle Revis, Asante Samuel &Adrian Wilson)
Place Kickers: (7) (Up from 5 Last Year)
David Akers: 1998-13 WAS, PHI, SFO, DET. Akers was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection. Ranked #246 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Gary Anderson: 1982-04, PIT, PHI, SFO, MIN, TEN. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and at the time of his retirement, he was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made. Ranked #169 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jason Elam: 1993-09 DEN, ATL. Elam went to three Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl Rings with the Broncos.
*Jason Hanson: 1992-12, DET. The longest tenured Lion in franchise history, Hanson went to two Pro Bowls and is fourth All-Time in Points Scored.
*John Kasay: 1991-11, SEA, CAR, NOR. Kasay was a 19-year veteran, who went to one Pro Bowl. Kasay kicked 461 Field Goals over his career, and is ninth all-time in Points Scored.
Matt Stover: 1991-09, CLE, BAL. Stover won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, and was twice the league leader in Field Goal Percentage. He is sixth all-time in Field Goals Made and Points Scored.
Mike Vanderjadt: 1998-06, IND, DAL. Vanderjadt was selected as a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2003.
(Place Kickers added: David Akers, Matt Stover & Mike Vanderjadt. Place Kickers removed: Ryan Longwell)
Punters: (8) (Up from 5 last year)
Darren Bennett: 1995-05, SDG, MIN. Bennett was a First Team All-Pro as a rookie and was twice named to the Pro Bowl.
*Jeff Feagles: 1988-09, NEW, PHI, ARI, SEA, NYG. Feagles was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.
*Sean Landeta: 1985-05, NYG, LAR, STL, TAM, GNB, PHI. Landeta won two Super Bowls with the Giants and was chosen for three First Team All-Pros. He is currently third all-time in Punting Yards.
*Shane Lechler: 2000-17, OAK, HOU. Lechler went to seven Pro Bowls and was an All-Decade Selecion in both the 2000s and 2010s. Ranked #102 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Brad Maynard: 1997-11, NYG, CHI, CLE. Maynard led the NFL in Punting Yards three times.
*Pat McAfee: 2009-16. IND. McAfee went to two Pro Bowls and is a one-time leader in Yards per Punt.
Brian Moorman: 2001-13, BUF, DAL. Moorman was chosen for two Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.
*Matt Turk: 1995-11, WAS, MIA, NYJ, STL, HOU, JAX. Turk’s three Pro Bowls were consecutive from 1996 to 1998. He was a First Team All-Pro in ’95.
(Punters added, Brian Moorman, Brad Maynard & Darren Bennett. Punters removed, Nons.)
Special Teams (2): (No Change from last year)
Josh Cribbs (Also WR): 2005-14, CLE, NYJ, IND. Cribbs was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro and collected 15,453 All-Purpose Yards.
Brian Mitchell (Also RB): 1990-03, WAS, PHI, NYG. Mitchell was a one-time Pro Bowl recipient and a four-time leader in All-Purpose Yards. He totaled 23,330 in APY, and is second all-time in that statistic. Ranked #134 on Notinhalloffame.com.
With all due respect to many of these candidates, there are several of these Preliminary Nominees that have no realistic chance for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it is a phenomenal process to test the waters overall on a player’s career.
This group will be pared down to 25 in November and reduced to 15 in January.
Whomever those 15 Modern Era Finalists are, they will be joined by Senior Finalists, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael, Art Powell and Contributor/Coach Finalist, Buddy Parker.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the 173 former players who made it to this stage.
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