Tim Brown – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Don Coryell – Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
Roger Craig – Running Back – 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings
Dermontti Dawson – Center – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Charles Haley – Defensive End/Linebacker – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Rickey Jackson – Linebacker – 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers
Cortez Kennedy – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Dick LeBeau* – Cornerback – 1959-1972 Detroit Lions
Floyd Little* – Running Back – 1967-1975 Denver Broncos
John Randle – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Jerry Rice – Wide Receiver – 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
Shannon Sharpe – Tight End – 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
Emmitt Smith – Running Back – 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals
This is the list of finalists.
My opinion of most deserving on this list, besides Rice and Smith, are Sharpe, Carter, and Brown.
Dermontti Dawson and maybe Cris Carter
Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Andre Reed I believe are locks. Floyd Little and John Randle are outside chances.
Other than those two I would vote for Brown, Coryell, Craig and Little.
Jerry and Emmett
Shannon Sharpe-At the time of retirement was the all-time best TE in NFL history. Won 2 rings with the Broncos. He sets the bar high for tight ends who follow but if he does not get in now he will have trouble later because Tony Gonzalez has set the bar even higher. Antonio Gates for one will pass Sharpe and more will follow. He’s in this
Andre Reed. of the 3 wide receivers other than Rice is the favorite to enter. he helped the bills make it to 4 consecutive superbowls (though no wins) and was one of the most feared recievers of his time.
haley-won 5 superbowl rings. most by any player ever.
roger craig-huge part of the offense that won 3 superbowls in san francisco. arguabley the best recieving back of all time leading the NFL in receptions in 1988 and one of 2 running backs to have 1000 yards on the ground and in the air
floyd little is a tough one. fantastic running back who will be penalized for being on a godawful team. a short career will also be a problem for him getting in but his stats are not to be argued with
these 5 are really a toss up as to who will finish off the class