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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 21: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up before his game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 21: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up before his game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

4. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

He opted to walk away from the game after just nine seasons. But Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson made a definitive impression during his brief career in the NFL. He was the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft behind quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU.

While the then-Oakland Raiders apparently swung and missed when it came to the young signal-caller, the Men from the Motor City could have not been happier with what the former Georgia Tech University standout brought to the team – albeit for a relatively short time.

“Megatron” would put up mega-numbers. After a modest rookie showing, he totaled at least 70 catches in each of his final eight seasons. All told, the former Yellow Jacket stung opposing defenses for 731 receptions, good for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro totaled at least a dozen scoring grabs four times.

In 2011, he led the NFL with 1,681 receiving yards and one year later, set a new single-season league record in the same category (1,964). He would play in only two postseason games. But in a 2014 wild card loss to the Saints, there were 12 catches for 211 yards and two scores.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press ponders whether Johnson in a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That’s a tough call considering there have been very few in the modern era.

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