LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Bosa is arguably the best defensive end in the league and he has solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with. The four-time pro bowler has 53.5 sacks in just five seasons, one of which seasons was missed due to a torn ACL. The fact that Bosa has been able to bounce back from a torn ACL and lead all NFL players in sacks in 2022 is insane. Bosa has a handful of personal accomplishments, including Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, and is one of the only NFL defensive linemen to be seriously considered for the MVP award in recent history.
7. Stefon Diggs
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
It took Stefon Diggs only three years to accumulate over 5,000 receiving yards, which put him fourth all-time in the Bills’ franchise history. Before that, he spent four years with Minnesota, a team with a rich history of receivers, where he earned over 4,000 yards throughout his career as a Viking. He has the fourth most touchdowns out of any wide-out in the NFL since 2018, and four Pro Bowls give him respect as a number one target wherever he goes.
6. Tyler Lockett
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 07: Wide receiver Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 21-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Lockett is a small receiver who has flown under the radar for the majority of his career. Known for his insane catches, lightning speed, and mindful body control, Lockett has become a fan favorite in Seattle. Despite only having one pro-bowl under his belt, Lockett has been a valuable return man and slot receiver for the Seahawks. His style of play, which promotes longevity, is the reason he is on this list, as he will just keep racking up yards and touchdowns.
5. Russell Wilson
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 10: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos reacts as he leaves the field after a 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
A former teammate of Lockett is Russell Wilson . For a while, Wilson was a top three quarterback in the NFL. Despite never having an MVP title and only one Superbowl ring, Wilson was on his way to the Hall of Fame when he was abruptly traded to Denver after disclaiming his unhappiness in Seattle. Wilson is easily the best quarterback in Seahawks history, and even though his time with the Broncos is forgettable, he is still up for debate as a future hall of fame.
4. Marcus Peters
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Marcus Peters #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
This one may be a head-scratcher for most casual NFL fans, but hear this out. Peters has the most interceptions out of all defensive players since 2015, hauling in 33 over the past eight seasons. Peters is known for his playmaking ability after he intercepts the ball, leading the NFL in interceptions returned for touchdowns four times and interception return yards five times. Despite a slew of issues off the field and at practice, Peters has been one of the best NFL players that has flown under the radar.
3. Lavonte David
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a defensive stop against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lavonte David has the second most tackles since 2015, behind only Bobby Wagner, who is essentially a lock for the Hall of Fame. Despite not leading the league in any stats, David has been one of the most consistent linebackers of the 21st century. He has eclipsed 100 tackles or more in ten of his twelve seasons in the NFL and is the face of the Buccaneers defense.
2. Cooper Kupp
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 31: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams walks off the field after defeating the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images)
When healthy, Kupp is one of the most reliable and hard-to-stop NFL players in all of football. Kupp nearly broke two thousand receiving yards in 2021, and that year led the NFL in Touchdowns, yards, and receptions. He came in third in MVP voting that season. However, an injury in 2022 started a downward trend in his career, and he is at risk of being overshadowed by rookie standout Puka Naccua. If Kupp can finally get back on track and become as dominant as he was before, he may be the first-ever Eastern Washington University Alum to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Matthew Stafford
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 14: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams plays against Detroit Lions during a NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
There is a huge debate on whether or not Matthew Stafford deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. First of all, his career is not even over yet. However, let’s speculate. Stafford finally got his Superbowl victory in 2021 and has consistently thrown for over 4,000 yards. He was the face of the franchise in Detroit for twelve years and is widely recognized as one of the last quarterbacks from the 2000s. He has played fifteen years in the National Football League and, as of the end of the 2023/2024 season, sits eleventh all-time in passing yards.
The fact that Stafford has played so long and has more passing yards than any active player except Aaron Rodgers makes a strong case for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The only knock against Stafford? He has only two Pro Bowls in his fifteen years of play and no All-Pro selections. Nor has he ever won the MVP award. You be the judge, but Stafford is certainly worthy of being named a borderline Hall of Fame player.