Top 30 NFL players not in the Hall of Fame

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 21: Cliff Branch #21 of the Oakland Raiders scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 21, 1974 in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 28-26. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 12: Randy Gradishar #53 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game December 12, 1982 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1973-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

6. DL Joe Klecko

Versatility is such a big part of today’s NFL. A lot of that has to do with teams looking for players who can do multiple things in the salary cap era. But well before there was free agency in the NFL and the cap began in 1994, there was New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko.

A sixth-round draft choice in 1977 from Temple University, he spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Green and White and made his mark as the cornerstone of the fabled “Sack Exchange” which featured Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam. More significantly, he earned Pro Bowl berths at three different positions on the defensive front.

5. LB Randy Gradishar

He with a tackling machine and that would be an understatement. Linebacker Randy Gradishar was the 14th overall pick in the 1974 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. The former Ohio State Buckeye spent 10 seasons in the Mile High City and was one of the most consistent and productive players to ever line up at his position.

Gradishar was a key cog on the fabled “Orange Crush” defense that paved the way for a trip to Super Bowl XII and featured standouts such as fellow linebacker Tom Jackson and defensive backs Billy Thompson and Louis Wright. The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro finished with 33 takeaways.

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