Often, we tend to overlook the greatness of current NFL players who are destined for Canton, the home of pro football's prestigious Hall of Fame.
While certain players, such as Aaron Rodgers or Aaron Donald, may be obvious choices to be elected, there are others like Bobby Wagner or Zack Martin whose careers may not be fully appreciated, despite being likely bound for the Hall of Fame as well.
And then, among the NFL’s most elite, there is one player whose status and resume stand head and shoulders above the rest. His career trajectory is well above pace to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame once it’s all said and done - enter Patrick Mahomes.
But within the Mile High City, residents and fans of Colorado sportsbooks also have the opportunity to cherish and celebrate one of their own, despite a disappointing debut season as the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Russell Wilson is among the active NFL players who have established a resume worthy of Canton. Joining him is former Bronco, Von Miller, who has also crafted a Hall of Fame-worthy career in his ten-year tenure with Denver and then some with the Rams and Bills.
Methodology
With the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony coming up on Aug. 5, BetColorado.com utilized Pro-Football-Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor to see which active players are most likely to end up in Canton.
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Most Likely NFL Hall of Famers
NFL Stars Destined for Canton’s Hall of Fame
Should Patrick Mahomes decide to retire at this very moment, we’ll be more than likely celebrating him as a Hall of Famer once he becomes fully eligible. Mahomes’ five-year career as a starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs is the shortest on this list, tallying an 86.28-point HOF Monitor score, ranking eighth, ahead of Patrick Peterson and Denver’s Russell Wilson.
His teammate, Travis Kelce, has a higher HOF Monitor Score of 107.21 points, joining Bobby Wagner, Aaron Donald, and Aaron Rodgers as the only current NFL players surpassing the 100-point mark.
Rodgers, the oldest on this list (39), has the highest HOF Monitor Score with 192.43 points, followed by Aaron Donald’s 146.25 points.
Will Wilson Make It?
Denver’s own, Russell Wilson and Von Miller, make an appearance on this list. Miller, who spent ten years in Denver, was an 8x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, 1x DPOY, and a Super MVP (50), all awarded with the Broncos.
Miller tallied a 98.55 HOF Monitor Score, behind Wagner’s 104.75 points.
Wilson, who spent and established the majority of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, has the lowest HOF Monitor Score with 83.1 points. This isn’t to say that he is not bound for Canton, as he is a 9x Pro Bowler and a one-time Super Bowl champion.
While Wilson's first season in Denver was very much a disaster, there's reason to think he will regain at least some form under Sean Payton. BetMGM Colorado has the Broncos at +200 to make the playoffs in Payton and Wilson's first season together.
The Cowboys' Zack Martin is the only offensive lineman on this list. At 32 years old, Martin has been honored as an eight-time Pro Bowler and a six-time All-Pro in his nine-year career in Dallas.
Although the majority of these players still have some left in the tank, we will be celebrating them within the next decade as one of the greatest players to ever grace an NFL field.
