Top 10 first-time eligible candidates for the Hall of Fame in 2021
6. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
He was a workhorse on some less-than successful St. Louis Rams’ teams. Running back Steven Jackson was the 24th pick in the 2004 NFL Draft and the first player at his position selected that year. He would go onto play nine seasons with the Rams, two with the Atlanta Falcons and then had a brief stint with the New England Patriots in 2015.
After rushing for 673 yards during his rookie campaign (the Rams actually made the playoffs that year with an 8-8 record), he would then total at least 1,000 yards on the ground in each of his next eight seasons – all with St. Louis. During his nine years with the franchise, he amassed 13,462 yards from scrimmage and 64 touchdowns. In 2006, he led the NFL with 2,334 yards from scrimmage and reached the end zone 16 times.
Jackson would play in 27 games for the Falcons from 2013-14. He ended up with the Patriots for two regular-season contests and a pair of playoff tilts. All told, the 12-year pro and three-time Pro Bowler amassed an impressive 15,121 total yards from scrimmage (23rd in NFL history), totaled 461 receptions (good for 3,683 yards and nine touchdowns) and finished with 78 total TDs.