When it comes to making NFL picks, there are always certain players that end up impacting the overall results more than others. The best players of all-time end up being honored with enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it’s an exclusive group to join.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is much different than some other Hall of Fames in other sports, as there is always a long list of nominees. There is a specific process that takes place when trying to select the Hall of Fame players, but the list is extremely long to start.
Near the end of September, it was announced that there were over 100 different players still in consideration for enshrinement in 2023. That list is going to continue to shrink over time, but it’s also a great opportunity to remember some of the best NFL players of all time.
Hall of Fame honorees have been a bit watered down over the past few years, but that won’t be the case when the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class is announced. There are a number of returning players to the ballot, but some NFL legends are coming to the ballot for the first time.
Stars On the Ballot For First Time
When making NFL expert picks, there are always certain players that tend to impact games more than others. Those players are those that you are going to see on the ballot for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it’s going to be hard to narrow the list down.
It should come as no surprise that the skill position players are going to garner the most attention, but there aren’t many of these players on the ballot in 2023. A superstar running back is on the ballot, but there are no new quarterbacks or wide receivers up for consideration.
Running back Chris Johnson is on the ballot for the first time in 2023, but he is not likely to get selected in his first season. It’s on the defensive side of the ball that you actually find the players with the best chances to get selected.
Defensive backs Kam Chancellor and Darrelle Revis are both on the ballot for the first time in 2023, and each player has a good shot at getting in. It’s hard to really make an impact as a defensive player, but Chancellor and Revis were able to dictate the outcome of many games.
Punter Shane Lechler is also on the ballot for the first time in 2023, and many believe that he will get in. This is a position that doesn’t always get a ton of recognition, but Lechler is one of the best in league history.
Will Hester Get In?
Perhaps one of the biggest questions when the votes start to come in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 is the status of Devin Hester. When making NFL predictions on Chicago Bears games during his prime, you always had to account for his exploits as a kick returner.
Hester is actually listed as a wide receiver, but he didn’t do a ton of great work at that position. It’s pretty clear that he is the best returner in NFL history, and it would be a shame if there is no place for him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The quarterback position always generates a ton of conversation when it comes to the NFL, and there are two returning players to the ballot that are going to generate some conversation. Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair are two quarterbacks who are going to garner plenty of consideration when the ballots are expected to be turned in.
Unlike a Hall of Fame such as the MLB or NBA, players aren’t going to fall off the ballot as quickly, and that keeps players in the conversation for longer. It’s a good thing that so many of the best players in NFL history remain on the ballot for a long period of time, but it ends up hurting the chances of some of the best players.