Fansided

Top 10 first-time eligible candidates for the Hall of Fame in 2021

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots plays against the Tennessee Titans during their season opener at LP Field on September 9, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots plays against the Tennessee Titans during their season opener at LP Field on September 9, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

7. Logan Mankins, OG, New England Patriots

While much of the focus on the 20-year run of the New England Patriots has been on a quarterback and a head coach, it’s safe to say that the franchise has had its share of excellent players at all positions. Bill Belichick always made sure that quarterback Tom Brady was well taken care of and that the ground game was an important part of the offense

Off back-to-back Super Bowl championship, the Pats opted to use the final pick in the first round in 2005 on Fresno State guard Logan Mankins. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound standout was a 16-game starter in each of his first five seasons with the franchise, earning Pro Bowl honors in his third year (2007) and then five consecutive Pro Bowl invitations from 2009-13.

Mankins would not conclude his career in Foxborough as he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 and played two seasons for that franchise – earning a seventh Pro Bowl nod in his final year in the league in 2015.

Mankins also played in a total of 17 postseason games with the Patriots, including a pair of Super Bowls. But in both instances, Belichick’s club as well as the quality blocker was denied a championship by the New York Giants.

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