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The Pro Football Hall of Fame has released a complete list of finalists for their Class of 2023. Out of the fifteen finalists in the modern era, only five will eventually be selected this year and fitted for the gold jacket. We weigh in on who definitely deserves their spot in Canton, Ohio.
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Darrelle Revis leads list among Pro Football Hall of Fame 2023 Finalists
#1 - Darrelle Revis, CB
Darrelle Revis is one of the three who have been selected in the first year of their eligibility. The former NFL quarterback played mainly for the New York Jets but also suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2014, with the Patriots, he also won Super Bowl XLIX.
Darrelle Revis was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and was a first-team All-Pro selection four times. He is considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time and is famed for his "Revis Island", the zone where opposing offenses dare not throw. He is already part of the New York Jets' Ring of Honor. He should add the Pro Football Hall of Fame to that call.
#2 - DeMarcus Ware, LB
Selected for the second time since last year, DeMarcus Ware should make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro like Darrelle Revis. He was the NFL sacks leader in 2008 and 2010 with the Dallas Cowboys, for whom he played from 2005 to 2013.
However, his greatest moment came during Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, which he won in his second season with them. He was named to the Pro Bowl that year as well, and it was his influence that made the Denver defense one of the best in the country. For his influence, he should make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
#3 - Reggie Wayne, WR
This is the fourth year that Reggie Wayne has made it among the finalists, and if we are honest, he should get through to his deserved place among the greats. Based on the Pro Football Reference Hall of Fame Monitor, the average HOFm for hall-of-fame wide receivers is 104. Reggie Wayne is at 108.64. Every single wide receiver above him has been selected for Canton except Larry Fitzgerald, who is not eligible yet.
He played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2001 to 2014 and made it to six Pro Bowls. He was the league's receiving yards leader in 2007 and won the Super Bowl XLI with them. He is the record-holder for most wins in Indianapolis Colts history and has already made it to their Ring of Honor. With this list dominated by defensive luminaries like Darrelle Revis and DeMarcus Ware, now is the time for this offensive superstar to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.
#4 - Darren Woodson, S
Darren Woodson played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 2004. This is the 15th year of elibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is a man who was a cornerstone of the Dallas dynasty in the 1990s.
He made it to five straight Pro Bowls from 1994 to 1998 and won three Super Bowls, more than any other finalist on the list. Much like vaunted players like Darrelle Revis and DeMarcus Ware, he also made it as a First-team All-Pro in four of those seasons. He also won the 2002 Bart Starr award for positive contributions to the community and was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. The next stop should be the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
#5 - Joe Thomas, OT
Joe Thomas played with the Cleveland Browns from 2007 to 2017 and is among the finalists in the first year of his eligibility. It is remarkably well-deserved. Offensive tackles often fly under the radar, but if ever there is someone who deserves a gold jacket, it is him.
He was one of the bright lights in an otherwise struggling Cleveland franchise. He played for 10,363 consecutive snaps, an NFL record. In that period, he allowed only 30 sacks. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons with the Browns, missing out only on his last season. He was selected to the All-Pro First Team on six occasions, outstripping more familiar names on this list like Darrelle Revis. He was also nominated by the Cleveland Browns for the Walter Payton Man of the Year three times, for his contributions to the community outside football. There should be no doubt about his contributions when they discuss his merits for selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
