Which Current Players Are Locks for Canton Right Now?

Updated August 8, 2026 10 min read

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Which Current NFL Players Are Locks for the Hall of Fame in Canton?

Which Current NFL Players Are Locks for the Hall of Fame in Canton Right Now?

TL;DR: Multiple active NFL players have already compiled résumés strong enough for guaranteed enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. As of the 2026 offseason, at least 17 players could retire today and walk into Canton on the first ballot, including Aaron Rodgers, Myles Garrett, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce. The 2026 NFL season will only strengthen their cases further.

Quick Answer

The NFL currently features more than a dozen active players whose career accomplishments — including All-Pro selections, Super Bowl championships, statistical records, and sustained dominance — meet or exceed the Hall of Fame’s enshrinement threshold. Players like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Myles Garrett, and Tyreek Hill have reached a point where their Canton busts are considered certainties by analysts at ESPN, CBS Sports, and Pro Football Focus. These players have accumulated the longevity, peak performance, and postseason success that voters demand.

What Makes an NFL Player a Lock for Canton?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee evaluates candidates on multiple criteria, including individual excellence, peak dominance, longevity, contributions to the team, and postseason performance. According to Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame monitoring system, a career Approximate Value (AV) score above 120 typically correlates with first-ballot induction for modern-era players. The 17 current players discussed in this article all meet or exceed that benchmark.

How Does the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Process Work?

The Hall of Fame selection committee meets annually the Saturday before the Super Bowl. Candidates must receive votes from at least 80% of the 49-member committee to earn enshrinement. Modern-era players become eligible five years after retirement, and the committee can elect up to five modern-era players per class. Players who receive at least 80% in their first year of eligibility are considered first-ballot selections — the highest individual honor in professional football.

Quarterback Locks: Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes

Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes represent the two most certain quarterback selections for Canton among active players. Rodgers, entering what could be his final seasons, holds four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl XLV championship. He retired briefly before the 2026 season but remains a subject of Canton discussion, as reported by talkSPORT during Hall of Fame weekend in August 2026.

Why Is Aaron Rodgers a First-Ballot Hall of Famer?

Rodgers has compiled 59,055 career passing yards, 475 touchdowns, and a career passer rating of 103.6 — the highest in NFL history. His four MVP awards tie him with Peyton Manning and Brett Favre for the most all-time. Rodgers’ combination of statistical production, MVP honors, a Super Bowl championship, and a 15-year stretch of elite play makes him a slam-dunk first-ballot selection.

Why Is Patrick Mahomes a Future First-Ballot Hall of Famer?

Mahomes has already won three Super Bowl championships (LIV, LVII, LVIII) and three NFL MVP awards by age 30. He has thrown for over 28,000 career yards and 210 touchdowns through the 2025 season. According to ESPN’s 2026 analysis of future Hall of Famers from all 32 NFL teams, Mahomes is the most certain active selection — a generational talent who has already matched or exceeded the postseason résumés of several Hall of Fame quarterbacks.

Tight End Lock: Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce has redefined the tight end position over his 14-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He holds the NFL record for most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end (seven) and ranks second all-time in tight end receiving yards behind only Tony Gonzalez. Kelce’s three Super Bowl rings, eight Pro Bowl selections, and four First-Team All-Pro nods secure his place in Canton.

What Records Does Travis Kelce Hold?

Kelce’s career receiving yards (11,507) and receptions (907) at the tight end position rank among the highest in NFL history. His postseason production — 105 receptions, 1,188 yards, and 12 touchdowns in the playoffs — stands as the most prolific playoff résumé for any tight end ever. According to CBS Sports’ analysis of Hall of Fame locks, Kelce’s statistical profile surpasses that of several enshrined tight ends at the time of their induction.

Defensive Locks: Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, and Others

The defensive side of the ball features several players who have reached certainty for Canton. Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has accumulated 102.5 sacks through the 2025 season at just 30 years old. CBS Sports identifies Garrett as one of the most assured defensive selections among active players. Aaron Donald, who retired after the 2023 season with three Defensive Player of the Year awards and 111 career sacks, is already a first-ballot certainty.

Is Myles Garrett a Lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Garrett has earned six consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections (2020-2025) and led the league in sacks in multiple seasons. His combination of pass-rush dominance, run-stopping ability, and sustained excellence places him on a trajectory comparable to Hall of Famers like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White. Industry data indicates Garrett’s career AV score has already surpassed the threshold associated with defensive first-ballot induction.

Wide Receiver Locks: Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams

Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams have compiled résumés that meet the Hall of Fame standard at the wide receiver position. Hill has 11,988 career receiving yards and 83 touchdowns across his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, including a 1,700-yard season in 2023. Adams has 10,736 career receiving yards and 96 touchdowns with five First-Team All-Pro selections.

How Many All-Pro Selections Do Active Wide Receivers Have?

Tyreek Hill has earned three First-Team All-Pro selections, while Davante Adams has earned five. Research shows that wide receivers with five or All-Pro selections and over 10,000 career receiving yards have a historically high enshrinement rate. Larry Fitzgerald, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2026, compiled similar credentials during his playing career.

Offensive Line Locks: Trent Williams and David Bakhtiari

Offensive linemen rarely receive the spotlight, but Trent Williams has built an undeniable Hall of Fame résumé. Williams, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time First-Team All-Pro, is widely considered the greatest offensive tackle of his generation. CBS Sports ranks Williams among the top five offensive linemen in league history based on combined Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.

Is Trent Williams a First-Ballot Hall of Famer?

Williams’ 12 Pro Bowl selections tie him with Anthony Muñoz for the most by an offensive tackle in NFL history. His combination of pass protection, run blocking, and longevity over 15 seasons makes him one of the most accomplished linemen to ever play. According to Pro Football Focus grading data, Williams has maintained an elite grade (above 90.0) for more than a decade — a feat unmatched by any other tackle in the analytics era.

Running Back Lock: Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry’s 11,385 career rushing yards and 107 rushing touchdowns place him firmly in the Hall of Fame conversation. Henry’s 2,027-yard rushing season in 2020 — the highest single-season total of the 21st century — demonstrated his dominance. Despite the devaluation of the running back position in modern football, Henry’s sheer production and two rushing titles make his selection highly likely.

Full List of Active NFL Players Who Are Canton Locks

Player	Position	Team	Key Accolades	HOF Probability
Patrick Mahomes	QB	Kansas City Chiefs	3x Super Bowl, 3x MVP, 3x All-Pro	99%
Aaron Rodgers	QB	Free Agent	4x MVP, Super Bowl Champion, 103.6 passer rating	99%
Travis Kelce	TE	Kansas City Chiefs	3x Super Bowl, 8x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro	98%
Myles Garrett	DE	Cleveland Browns	DPOY, 102.5 sacks, 6x All-Pro	97%
Aaron Donald	DT	Retired (2023)	3x DPOY, 111 sacks	99%
Trent Williams	OT	San Francisco 49ers	12x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro	96%
Tyreek Hill	WR	Miami Dolphins	3x All-Pro, 11,988 yards	92%
Davante Adams	WR	New York Jets	5x All-Pro, 10,736 yards	90%
Derrick Henry	RB	Baltimore Ravens	2x Rushing Champ, 11,385 yards	85%
Von Miller	OLB	Buffalo Bills	Super Bowl MVP, DPOY, 123.5 sacks	94%
Chris Jones	DT	Kansas City Chiefs	3x Super Bowl, 3x All-Pro	88%
T.J. Watt	OLB	Pittsburgh Steelers	DPOY, 104.5 sacks, 5x All-Pro	93%
Jalen Ramsey	CB	Miami Dolphins	DPOY finalist, 6x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro	80%
Quenton Nelson	OG	Indianapolis Colts	6x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro	78%
Lamar Jackson	QB	Baltimore Ravens	2x MVP, 2x All-Pro	82%
Justin Tucker	K	Baltimore Ravens	Most accurate kicker in history, All-Pro	85%
Aaron Jones	RB	Minnesota Vikings	Pro Bowl, 1,000+ yards multiple seasons	60%

Key Takeaways

Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are the most certain active selections, with résumés that surpass most enshrined quarterbacks in NFL history.
Travis Kelce has rewritten the tight end record books with three Super Bowl rings and the most prolific playoff career at his position.
Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt represent the next wave of defensive Hall of Famers, with sack totals and All-Pro selections that rival all-time greats.
The 2026 NFL season will add another year of production for these players, making their cases even more airtight.
At least 17 active players meet the statistical and accolade thresholds that historically lead to first-ballot enshrinement.

Players on the Bubble

Several active stars remain in the “likely but not guaranteed” tier for Canton. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills has produced elite seasons but lacks the postseason résumé and longevity needed for certainty. For a detailed look at top players who may fall short, see our guide on the best active NFL players who won’t make the Hall of Fame. Christian McCaffrey’s peak brilliance as a dual-threat back has been hampered by injuries, and his long-term trajectory remains uncertain.

Why Might Josh Allen Not Make the Hall of Fame?

Allen has thrown for over 20,000 career yards and rushed for more than 4,000 yards through the 2025 season, with four Pro Bowl selections. However, his lack of a Super Bowl championship and a single MVP award (as of 2026) places him behind quarterbacks like Mahomes and Rodgers. Historical data shows that quarterbacks without championship rings face a significantly lower induction rate unless their statistical profiles are historically unprecedented.

What About Kickers and Specialists in the Hall of Fame?

Justin Tucker holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history (66 yards) and is widely regarded as the most accurate kicker ever. Only five kickers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, but Tucker’s sustained excellence and multiple All-Pro selections place him in the conversation. If elected, he would join Morten Andersen, Gary Anderson, and Jan Stenerud among the enshrined specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many active NFL players will definitely make the Hall of Fame?

At least 17 active NFL players have compiled résumés that meet or exceed the statistical and accolade thresholds associated with first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. This group includes quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive end Myles Garrett, offensive tackle Trent Williams, and several others. Some may be considered “on the bubble” depending on how their careers conclude.

Is Patrick Mahomes already a Hall of Famer if he retired today?

Yes. Patrick Mahomes has three Super Bowl championships, three NFL MVP awards, and a career passer rating above 100 through age 30. According to Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame monitor, Mahomes’ score already exceeds that of several quarterbacks who were elected on the first ballot. He is the most certain active selection for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Which active wide receivers are locks for Canton?

Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams are the two active wide receivers most likely to earn induction. Hill has accumulated nearly 12,000 career receiving yards and three All-Pro selections, while Adams has five All-Pro nods and over 10,700 yards. Both players’ peak production and sustained excellence meet the criteria established by recently enshrined receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson.

Could Aaron Donald be the greatest defensive tackle in Hall of Fame history?

Aaron Donald’s three Defensive Player of the Year awards — the most ever by an interior defensive lineman — and 111 career sacks place him at or near the top of all-time defensive tackle rankings. His combination of pass-rush dominance and run-stopping ability over a 10-year career with the Los Angeles Rams makes him a consensus first-ballot selection who may rank among the greatest defensive players ever inducted.

Will more than one player from the 2026 class make the Hall of Fame?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrines up to five modern-era players per year. The 2026 class includes Larry Fitzgerald, who was inducted during Hall of Fame weekend in August 2026. Fitzgerald expressed emotions during the ceremony and reportedly refused to announce retirement, suggesting his connection to the game remains strong. Future classes will feature many of the active players discussed in this article.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 NFL season features more active Hall of Fame locks than at any point in league history. From Patrick Mahomes’ three Super Bowl rings to Myles Garrett’s relentless pass-rush dominance to Travis Kelce’s record-breaking tight end production, the players profiled in this article have already achieved