The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was officially announced on Thursday at the NFL Honors ceremony. The latest class features Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig.
Entering the Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor an NFL player can achieve. Having your bronze bust and name enshrined in Canton, Ohio, is the dream of every child who grows up wanting to play professional football.
The 2026 class inducted four modern-era nominees. Working with a range of four to six new additions into Canton, here are our predictions for the modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
Adrian Peterson, RB
It would be a total surprise if Adrian Peterson were not a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame. With 2027 being his first year of eligibility, there’s no denying his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Peterson ranks fifth all-time with 14,918 rushing yards, and he’s also fifth with 120 rushing touchdowns. A seven-time Pro Bowler and the NFL MVP in 2012, Peterson was unstoppable at the peak of his career. He led the NFL in rushing three times, as well. From the moment he put on a Minnesota Vikings uniform, he established himself as an elite back.
Rob Gronkowski, TE
The question isn’t whether or not Rob Gronkowski will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer; the answer to that is pretty clear. He was a first-team All-Pro four times, won four Super Bowls, and was a matchup nightmare during the New England Patriots’ dynasty. When you consider longevity together, one could argue he’s the best weapon Tom Brady ever had.
READ MORE: NFL Legend Rob Gronkowski Reveals Surprising TE Who Reminds Him of His Glory Days With Patriots
Rather, the question is whether the Hall of Fame committee would induct two modern-era tight ends in the same class. Jason Witten was a finalist this go around, but failed to get enshrined. His longevity was superior to Gronk’s, but the peak was not. Witten should eventually get into the Hall, but 2027 might be too crowded.
Terrell Suggs, EDGE
After missing out in his first two years of Hall of Fame eligibility, we have Terrell Suggs making it in Year 3 of waiting. He ranks eighth in NFL history with 139 sacks, was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026:
🏈Drew Brees
🏈Larry Fitzgerald
🏈Luke Kuechly
🏈Adam Vinatieri
🏈Roger Craig pic.twitter.com/ugb7OwcaNE— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2026
When you think back to those dominant Baltimore Ravens defenses in the 2000s and the early 2010s, you think of three players in particular: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Suggs. The first two have received their gold jackets and had their names enshrined in Canton. It’s only a matter of time before Suggs joins them.
Torry Holt, WR
Waiting all these years for a Hall of Fame induction has to be frustrating for Torry Holt. Though he’s missed on a HOF induction every year since his first year of eligibility in 2015, he feels like a glaring omission each time. After all, he’s one of the greatest wide receivers of the 21st century.
A key part of the Greatest Show on Turf, Holt holds an NFL record with six consecutive seasons over 1,300 receiving yards. He led the league in receiving twice and had over 1,000 yards eight years in a row. He was a bona fide star for the St. Louis Rams and a top receiver in the NFL. That’s worth a Hall of Fame induction, no matter how late it may be.
Darren Woodson, S
By 2027, it will have taken Darren Woodson 19 years to make it into the Hall of Fame. It’s about time that changes.
A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, Woodson was one of the most prolific defensive backs of the 1990s. He had a streak of five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1994 to 1998, earning three first-team All-Pro nominations in that time as well. A bona fide playmaker in coverage who could also hit hard, he’s a worthy HOFer.
Honorable Mentions
- Ben Roethlisberger, QB
- Antonio Brown, WR
- Reggie Wayne, WR
- Frank Gore, RB
- Jason Witten, TE
- Richard Sherman, CB
- Kevin Williams, DT
- Charles Tillman, CB
