Fansided

Can you predict the 2019 NFL Hall of Fame class better than a voter?

By Staff

16 Dec 2001: John Lynch #47 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks down field during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 27-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
16 Dec 2001: John Lynch #47 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks down field during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 27-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit

Think you know more about football than an expert with a Hall of Fame vote?

Do you think you know NFL history? Test your knowledge against Pro Football Hall of Fame selector Jason Cole, the Editor in Chief of FanSided. Submit your picks for the top five candidates among the final 15 for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cole and the other 47 selectors will meet on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 to discussion the 15 along with the contributor candidates and the senior candidate.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick out your top five from the list of 15 candidates and then spend no more than 300 words justifying your selections. Cole will judge the submissions and then name the top five readers and their essays.

2019 Hall Of Fame Finalists

Steve Atwater, Safety – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets. (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2012-19). Two-time Super Bowl champion who finished his career with 24 interceptions and was considered one of the most physical defensive backs of his era. Selected to eight Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro squads and the NFL All-Decade team of the 1990s.

Champ Bailey, Cornerback – 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2019). Considered one of the pre-eminent cover men of his era. Was selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, first team All-Pro three times and made the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s. Led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2006 and finished his career with 52 picks and four touchdowns.

Tony Boselli, Offensive tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve). (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2016-19). Considered one of the most physically gifted and technically sound left tackles to ever play in the NFL despite an injury-ravaged eight-year career. Despite his short career, made five Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro squads and the NFL All-Decade team of the 1990s.

Isaac Bruce, Wide receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015-19). Teamed with Torry Holt to create one of the most explosive receiving tandems in NFL history and eventually helped turn the St. Louis Rams into the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Surpassed 1,000 yards receiving eight times and made four Pro Bowls.

Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 11 – 2005, 2010-19). Considered one of the great passing game innovators in NFL history. Constructed the “Air Coryell” offense featuring Hall of Famers Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow.

Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals. (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2016-19). Considered one of the most athletic guards to ever play and even spent one season at left tackle with Pittsburgh after a series of injuries to teammates. Was an excellent pulling guard from the left side. Finished his career with nine Pro Bowl appearances, six first-team All-Pro selections and was named to the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s.

Tom Flores, Coach – 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2019). Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Raiders who helped revive the career of quarterback Jim Plunkett. One of only two men, along with Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, to win a Super Bowl title as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

Tony Gonzalez, Tight end – 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2019). Followed in the footsteps of Kellen Winslow Sr. as the most gifted receiving tight end of his generation. Holds 19 NFL records, including most receptions for a tight end (1,325), most receiving yards for a tight end (15,127) and most receiving TDs for a tight end (111). Made a record-tying 14 Pro Bowls, six first-team All-Pro squads and the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s.

Steve Hutchinson, Guard – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans. (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2018-19). Like Faneca, considered an incredible athlete for a guard and teamed with Hall of Fame left tackle Walter Jones to form one of the greatest blocking tandems in NFL history. Made seven Pro Bowls, five first-team All-Pro squads and was named to the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s during his 12-year career.

Edgerrin James, Running back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015-19). A dynamic runner and receiver who teamed with Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to create on of the most explosive offenses in NFL history in Indianapolis. Finished his career with 12,246 yards rushing and 3,364 yards receiving during his 12-year career. Made four Pro Bowls, two first team All-Pro squads and was named to the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s.

Ty Law, Cornerback – 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015-19). One of the most physical cornerbacks in NFL history and a key member of New England’s first three Super Bowl championship teams under Bill Belichick. Finished his career with 53 interceptions and seven touchdowns in the regular season and had six interceptions and one touchdown in the playoffs. Made five Pro Bowls, two first team All-Pro squads and the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s.

John Lynch, Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos. (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2013-19). Considered one of the best strong safeties of his era. Teamed with players such as Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks to form a dominant defense that led Tampa Bay to the 2002 Super Bowl title. Nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.

Kevin Mawae, Center – 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2015-19). Has been a semifinalist every year of his eligibility. Like Dwight Stephenson and Dermontti, is considered the best center of his era. Opened holes for running backs such as Curtis Martin and Chris Johnson on the way to eight Pro Bowls, seven first-team All-Pro selections and being named to the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s.

Ed Reed, Safety – 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 New York Jets, 2013 Houston Texans. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2019). Considered one of the great ballhawks of NFL history, Reed finished his career with 64 interceptions, 13 return touchdowns and a league-record 1,590 return yards. Helped Baltimore to a Super Bowl title, made nine Pro Bowls, five first-team All-Pro squads, the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.

Richard Seymour, Defensive lineman – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders. (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2018-2019). A versatile defensive lineman who could play both defensive end in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme and defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Was a lynchpin of New England’s first three Super Bowl title teams. Made seven Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro squads and named to the NFL All-Decade team of the 2000s. Finished career with 57 ½ sacks.

Home/NFL