Predicting every NFL team's best current Hall of Fame candidate: Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce among locks

There is no official criterion when determining who is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That being said, based on who has and who hasn't been enshrined over the past 50 years, it's safe to say that there are certain obvious characteristics when determining bronze busts and gold jackets. And there is no better time to examine those than the 2026 Hall of Fame Game.

Using the interpretation of some of the unspoken criteria used when determining who gets into the Hall of Fame, we've created a list of each NFL team's current player who has the best shot at being enshrined in Canton once their career is over. Here was the criteria used when selecting the most likely players on each NFL team that could be considered a "lock" if their careers ended today:

Did your team's best player make the cut? Let's find out.

The hard-hitting safety enters the 2026 season as an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. It's hard to make the Hall of Fame as a safety, though, so for Baker to truly have a legitimate shot at Canton one day, either he or the Cardinals need to win some hardware in the coming years. Baker is responsible for 1,021 career tackles in 138 regular-season games, including 678 solo tackles. He's exceeded 100 tackles six times, including 164 in 2024.

Last season, Robinson unofficially supplanted Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry as the NFL's best running back. At 24 years old, Robinson is just getting into his prime seasons. If he continues to mimic the success he had in the previous two seasons, Robinson will have a strong argument for his future Hall of Fame candidacy. Robinson's 3,910 rushing yards through his first 51 games represent an impressive Hall of Fame trajectory.

Henry punched his future ticket to Canton during his first two seasons with the Ravens, when he hit several career milestones that included 100 career touchdown runs and 13,000 career rushing yards. Henry enters the 2026 season ranked fourth all-time in career touchdown runs and 10th in both career rushing yards and career total touchdowns.

Current Hall of Fame lock: No, but getting closer

Allen has had a great career so far, but he'll need to have a few more Pro Bowl-caliber seasons before he can be considered a future Hall of Famer. With a league MVP in tow, a Super Bowl win may be all Allen needs to be considered a lock for future induction. Allen boasts 30,102 career passing yards and 220 touchdowns. He will also break 5,000 rushing yards and 80 rushing touchdowns by October of this season.

A former first-round pick, Brown had the most complete year of his career in 2023, setting career highs with 103 tackles in addition to two sacks, an interception and six pass breakups. After an injury wiped out virtually his entire 2024 season, Brown returned to form last season while helping the Panthers capture the NFC South.

Joe Burrow received consideration, but there's no denying that Chase is more deserving of this spot given what he has done in his career up to this point. He's a five-time Pro Bowler who, in 2024, won the coveted "triple crown" after leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Chase is certainly off to a Hall of fame start thanks to his 520 catches, 6,837 receiving yards and 54 touchdowns in addition to his individual honors.

Thuney's career has included two Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, two more Super Bowl wins with the Chiefs and three consecutive Pro Bowl berths entering this season. Now 33, Thuney will need to continue to rack up Pro Bowl selections if he is going to have a serious Hall of Fame case someday.

Ward, who recently received a hefty contract extension, has been one of the league's top cornerbacks since his rookie season back in 2018. Some All-Pros nod, and team success would greatly increase Ward's future Hall of Fame chances. Ward has 18 picks and 104 pass defenses in 110 career regular-season games.

Oddly, Lamb's success in Dallas has somewhat gone under the radar. He's been a Pro Bowler each of the last five years and, in 2023, broke Michael Irvin's single-season franchise receiving record. For Lamb's career to seriously merit Hall of Fame consideration someday, he'll probably need to get more All-Pro nods. A receiving title or two wouldn't hurt, either. Lamb has 571 career catches for 7,416 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Surtain has quickly blossomed into one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks. He's earned five Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections. In 2024, he became the first defensive back this decade to win Defensive Player of the Year.

Hutchinson got the nod over Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell , who are also enjoying strong starts to their careers. Less than a year after breaking his leg, Hutchinson recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2025. Barring injury, there's a very good chance that Hutchinson will join the short list of players who have reached 100 career sacks before turning 30.

Current Hall of Fame lock: No, but trending in that direction

Parsons was in the middle of another banner season until he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. If Parsons can return to his preinjury form, he should be considered a future Hall of Fame lock. Primarily as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Parsons registered 65 career regular-season sacks and 297 tackles over 77 games.

Current Hall of Fame lock: No, but on the cusp

Hunter would crack any list naming the NFL's most underrated players. The 31-year-old is a five-time Pro Bowler and is currently tied with J.J. Watt on the NFL's career sack list. Hunter is fewer than 10 sacks away from cracking the top-30 in career sacks.

You can't have a better start to a career than the one that Nelson has enjoyed. Through eight seasons, Nelson has earned eight Pro Bowl and three All-Pro nods. He's two selections away from becoming only the 13th offensive lineman in history with double-digit Pro Bowl nods.

Hines has had an impressive career so far, including two Pro Bowl nods and a car...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: CBS Sports. Open at source →