1996 NFL Re-Draft

It is time for another NFL Re-Draft. What would have happened if teams picked who they should have. Eventually we will get to all of the professional sports drafts of my lifetime.

You get the drill by now, but before we start here is....

1987
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1993

1994

1995

This draft set the Ravens up for multiple super bowl victories. This draft was also loaded with Hall of Fame level talent. What would happen if it went down as it should have?

1 New York Jets

Select: WR          Marvin Harrison          Syracuse

Harrison was actually selected with the 19th overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts.

Actual Selection:  WR        Keyshawn Johnson          Southern Cal

The Jets didn't make an awful selection in going WR during this draft. They already had Jumbo Elliot at tackle and had a great linebacking corps. It makes sense that they went to a position of need in a loaded draft. This re-draft has them selecting that position, but has them selecting a better player. Marvin Harrison had double the touchdowns that Keyshawn had in his career and is now a Hall of Famer due to his excellence. Harrison also didn't have the off the field concerns that Keyshawn had. Harrison goes #1 in the re-draft.

2 Jacksonville Jaguars

Select: LB               Ray Lewis            Miami

Lewis was actually selected with the 26th overall selection by the Baltimore Ravens.

Actual Selection: LB           Kevin Hardy             Illinois

Lewis had the best career out of the players in this draft and is one of the greatest linebackers of all-time. He is a slam dunk selection in the re-draft being available at this point. The Jacksonville Jaguars with Lewis in the middle of the defense could have possibly had a Super Bowl Victory. This guy is a Florida native and went to a Florida university. He should have been an easy choice for Jacksonville.

3 Arizona Cardinals

Select: OT               Jonathan Ogden         UCLA

Ogden was actually selected with the 4th overall selection by the Baltimore Ravens.

Actual Selection: DE           Simeon Rice             Illinois

Simeon Rice was an excellent selection and had a hall of fame level career. However, he only spent 6 seasons in Arizona and he was not the best player available. The Cardinals could have selected Ogden, who is one of the best offensive lineman of all-time. Ogden also spent his entire career with one franchise, which would have also been a major benefit to Arizona.

4 Baltimore Ravens

Select: OT              Willie Anderson           Auburn

Anderson was actually selected with the 10th overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Actual Selection: OT            Jonathan Ogden         UCLA

The Ravens had an amazing draft this year that set up multiple Super Bowls. Jonathan Ogden was a big part of that. With Ogden gone in the re-draft, the Ravens pick the next best person. It just so happens that there was another excellent tackle in this draft. He played one year longer than Ogden and did a great job on Cincy's offensive line. He would have made a great 4th overall selection.

5 New York Giants

Select: S                  Brian Dawkins              Clemson

Dawkins was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 61st overall selection by the Eagles.

Actual Selection: DE             Cedric Jones             Oklahoma

Dawkins is not only the best player available in this re-draft, but he is a Hall of Famer. He was an incredible safety that helped the Eagles defense a tremendous amount in the 00s.The Giants score twice in the re-draft, 1 by keeping Dawkins away from the  rival Eagles and 2 by selecting the best guy for the team. 

6 St. Louis Rams

Select: DE                Simeon Rice                   Illinois

Rice was actually selected with the 3rd overall selection by the Arizona Cardinals.

Actual Selection: RB             Lawrence Phillips       Nebraska

The 1996 St. Louis Rams were a 6 win mess with multiple rookies starting. They could have definitely done better than their selection of Lawrence Phillips. Selecting Rice would have been a game changer for the Rams and would have given them a insane pass rush. Kevin Carter and Simeon Rice would have terrorized the NFC West on the same defensive line. This selection would have made the Rams very difficult to play. 

7 New England Patriots

Select: S                    Lawyer Milloy                Washington

Milloy was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 36th overall selection by the Patriots.

Actual Selection: WR            Terry Glenn                Ohio State

The Patriots made an excellent pick in the actual draft to get Milloy in the 2nd round. They can not wait that long in the re-draft. New England must select him here. There is no hesitation in doing so either because Milloy was a truly elite safety. Milloy helped the Patriots win the 2001 Super Bowl and advance to the Super Bowl in this rookie season.

8 Carolina Panthers

Select: LB                   Zach Thomas                Texas Tech

Thomas was actually selected in the 5th round with the 154th selection by the Miami Dolphins.

Actual Selection: RB              Tim Biakabutka          Michigan

The Panthers were actually really good early on, advancing to the conference championship in 1996. They lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers in that game. Knowing how close they would come, they really look for the edge in the re-draft. The Panthers select the tackling machine Zach Thomas here, who would have fit in very nicely next to Sam Mills in the 3-4 defense. Thomas racked up over 150 tackles in his rookie year and finished his career well north of 1,000 tackles. He would have made a major difference on the Panther defense. 

9 Oakland Raiders

Select: OT                   Jon Runyan                    Michigan

Runyan was actually selected in the 4th round with the 109th overall selection by the Houston Oilers.

Actual Selection: TE               Rickey Dudley            Ohio State

Rickey Dudley was a decent pick and a decent tight end in the league. He was not the impact player that Runyan was though and the Raiders needed an upgrade at the tackle position. So in the re-draft, the Raiders select the better player at the more premium position.

10 Cincinnati Bengals

Select: DT                    La'Roi Glover                  San Diego State

Glover was actually selected in the 5th round with the 166th overall selection by the Oakland Raiders.

Actual Selection: OT              Willie Anderson           Auburn

Anderson was a great selection at a position of need for the Bengals. However, in the re-draft all three great tackles of this draft are gone. With that being the case and knowing that the team always comes up short, the Bengals take a different approach in the draft. Here they select the dominant interior defensive lineman in Glover who would go on to have a fantastic career. The team looks to build from the inside out. 

11 New Orleans Saints

Select: WR                    Terrell Owens                   Tennessee-Chattanooga

Owens was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 89th overall selection by the 49ers.

Actual Selection: CB               Alex Molden              Oregon

Was there a more garbage organization than the Saints of the 90s? The team was habitually bad and this selection of Molden was a poor one. They rectify that in the re-draft picking the best player available. They ignore the possible team chemistry issues down the road because he was a great player that gave 100% every time he stepped foot on the field. TO was a brilliant player that had an amazing career. Take away the off the field stuff and he is arguably the 2nd best receiver of all-time. 

12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: WR                   Eric Moulds                        Mississippi State

Moulds was actually selected with the 24th overall selection by the Buffalo Bills.

Actual Selection: DE              Regan Upshaw            California

Upshaw was a solid player for the Bucs and a decent draft pick. Here in the re-draft though, there were better guys available to the team. The team takes the opportunity to get a difference maker on offense that they did not have at the time. They select the dependable, loyal, and excellent WR from Mississippi State, Eric Moulds. 

13 Chicago Bears

Select: RB                      Eddie George                    Ohio State

George was actually selected with the 14th overall selection by the Houston Oilers.

Actual Selection: CB              Walt Harris                Mississippi State

The Bears picked a good starting corner in 1996 by picking Walt Harris. The re-draft gives them a chance to draft a better player at a better position of need. The Bears had no running game in the 90s despite several draft picks being used on the position. They know Eddie George will be successful and they solve that problem with this pick. 

14 Houston Oilers

Select: WR                    Keyshawn Johnson             Southern Cal

Johnson was actually selected with the 1st overall selection by the New York Jets.

Actual Selection: RB               Eddie George            Ohio State

Eddie George was a great pick by the Oilers in 1996 and had a great career with the franchise, but he is gone in the re-draft. With that, the Oilers decide to select the best player available. Keyshawn Johnson is one of the most talented people in this draft and a bargain talent wise at 14. There are some team chemistry concerns with Keyshawn, but perhaps by the Oilers getting McNair the best receiver he's ever had, they get that elusive win. Maybe Keyshawn gets that extra yard to win the Super Bowl.

15 Denver Broncos

Select: LB               John Mobley                         Kutztown Pennsylvania

Mobley was the Broncos actual selection.

Mobley was the only rookie starter on a good Broncos team. He was a great pick that contributed to back to back Super Bowls. Do the Broncos change that pick since Donnie Edwards had a slightly better career? They do not because Mobley was super effective and a 1st team all-pro during those Super Bowls.

16 Minnesota Vikings

Select: K                  Adam Vinatieri                     South Dakota State

Vinatieri actually went undrafted in 1996.

Actual Selection: DE               Duane Clemons          California

Picking a kicker in the 1st round would normally be a terrible decision. In this case, it makes sense for Minnesota. The 1998 Vikings were a missed FG in the NFC Championship from being one of the best teams ever. This opportunity to draft the most clutch kicker of all-time is a no-brainer for a Vikings team that always chokes in big games. 

17 Detroit Lions

Select: LB               Donnie Edwards                    UCLA

Edwards was actually selected in the 4th round with the 98th overall selection by the Chiefs.

Actual Selection: LB                Reggie Brown            Texas A&M

The Lions made a decent pick and picked a good player that tragically suffered a career ending injury. They get the opportunity in the re-draft to pick a stud linebacker that had a long career. Donnie Edwards was a great pro for many years and was a better pro than every Lion not named Sanders.

18 St. Louis Rams

Select: LB               Tedy Bruschi                         Arizona

Bruschi was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 86th overall selection by Patriots.

Actual Selection: WR               Eddie Kennison         LSU

The Rams love the opportunity to get this loyal and gifted linebacker who was an incredible winner as well. Bruschi would eventually be part of the team that took down the greatest show on turf in the Super Bowl. St. Louis relishes the opportunity to take Bruschi in the re-draft.

19 Indianapolis Colts

Select: WR             Muhsin Muhammed                Michigan State

Muhammed was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 43rd overall selection by the Panthers.

Actual Selection: WR               Marvin Harrison        Syracuse

The Colts made a fantastic selection during this draft in selecting one of the best receivers of all-time. Harrison is gone in the re-draft, so the Colts do the next best thing in selecting the very capable, Muhsin Muhammed. He is a fine selection in the re-draft and it would have been fun to watch him play with Peyton Manning.

20 Miami Dolphins

Select: RB               Mike Alstott                          Purdue

Alstorr was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 35th overall selecton by the Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: DT                Daryl Gardener           Baylor

1996 was one of the last years of Dan Marino's career and the quarterback was running out of chances to get a title. With his chances running low and knowing how effective he was at helping the running and passing game, the Dolphins select RB Mike Alstott and play him at fullback just like they did in Tampa. Alstott provides another threat on offense and brings a great work ethic that is needed by the Dolphins at the time.

21 Seattle Seahawks

Select: OG                  Pete Kendall               Boston College

Kendall was the Seahawks actual selection.

At this point in the re-draft there is no reason to change the Seahawks pick. They selected a really solid offensive lineman that started for them for years. The decision to pick Kendall was a strong one, and still is in the re-draft.

22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: OT                 Fred Miller                   Baylor

Miller was actually selected in the 5th round with the 141st overall selection by the Rams.

Actual Selection: DE                 Marcus Jones             North Carolina

There were worse picks in this draft than Jones and the Bucs actually had better picks after this one. The Bucs love getting a solid tackle here in the re-draft. A starting tackle at 22 is tremendous value. This is especially true when you figure out that starting tackle Doug Riesenburg was not only below average, but on his last year in the NFL. The Bucs are happy that they get some protection for the offense and time to get the ball downfield to Moulds.

23 Detroit Lions

Select: C                    Jeff Hartings              Penn State

Hartings was the Lions actual selection.

The Lions ended up playing Hartings at RG and he did a fine job at that position. No reason to switch it up now, especially knowing now that Barry Sanders was about to call it quits. They wouldn't want to risk speeding up that decision.

24 Buffalo Bills

Select: LB                  Randall Godfrey        Georgia

Godfrey was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 49th overall selection by the Dallas Cowboys.

Actual Selection: WR                Eric Moulds               Mississippi State

This was a fantastic selection of a Buffalo legend in the actual draft. Here in the re-draft, Moulds went 12 picks earlier to Tampa though. The Bills use the re-draft to select the great linebacker Randall Godfrey to strengthen their defense. Godfrey would have upgraded the Bills linebacking corps to one of the best in the league.

25 Philadelphia Eagles

Select: WR                  Joe Horn                     Itawamba Junior College

Horn was actually selected in the 5th round with the 135th overall selection by the Chiefs.

Actual Selection: G                    Jermane Mayberry         Texas A&M

Mayberry was a decent selection and the Eagles sure could have done worse than this pick. They decide to upgrade their receiving corps with one of the most entertaining wide receivers of the late 90s/early 00s. Drafting Horn gives the Eagles a great receiving corps and an entertaining team.

26 Baltimore Ravens

Select: CB                   Donnie Abraham          East Tennessee State

Abraham was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 71st overall selection by the Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: LB                  Ray Lewis                 Miami

Ray Lewis was the most productive player in this draft and was the face of the Baltimore football franchise. Not getting Lewis in the re-draft is clearly a downgrade, but the Ravens do the best the can with the circumstances provided. The Ravens use the opportunity they have in the re-draft to pick a really solid corner in Abraham. If they are losing Lewis, they should at least be able to upgrade their anemic pass defense.

27 Green Bay Packers

Select: OT                    Roman Oben                  Louisville

Oben was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 66th overall selection by the Giants.

Actual Selection: OT                  John Michels            Southern Cal

Michels started 9 games on this Packers team that won the Super Bowl. That said, there were several better players available at the time than Michels. They still go tackle in the re-draft because they needed a tackle for their Super Bowl run, but they select the superior player in Roman Oben.

28 Kansas City Chiefs

Select: CB                    Walt Harris                     Mississippi State

Harris was actually selected with the 13th overall selection by the Chicago Bears.

Actual Selection: S                     Jerome Woods          Memphis

Harris was clearly a better DB then and is clearly better now after watching both play. However, in the real draft, Harris was locked up. At this point in the re-draft, Harris provides amazing value.

29 Pittsburgh Steelers

Select: QB                     Jon Kitna                        Central Washington

Kitna was actually undrafted in 1996.

Actual Selection: OT                  Jamain Stephens       North Carolina A&T

The Steelers had Mike Tomczak at QB at the time. They were a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl champ several times in the 90s. Kitna was no world beater at QB, but he was servicable and would have been an upgrade. He had almost 30,000 career yards and would have been fun to watch in Pittsburgh.

30 Washington Redskins

Select: LB                    Kevin Hardy                    Illinois

Hardy was actually selected with the 2nd overall selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Actual Selection: OT                  Andre Johnson          Penn State

The Redskins went 9-7 and just missed the playoffs in 1996. They had no rookie starters, by selecting one guy that could start, the Redskins had a chance to change that outcome. Hardy would have given the Redskins one of the best linebacking corps in the league. Unfortunately for him and for the Skins, Hardy was long gone in the actual draft. He's way too good of a value here in the re-draft for Washington to pass.

- Noland

Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

Whenever a Hall of Fame ballot is released or a group of finalists is revealed, we immediately try to pick apart the candidates and decide who belongs and who does not. Things were no different recently when the group of Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists were announced. I take the task of ranking the finalists (just the players) from least deserving to most deserving. Only the players will be discussed, because I do not believe the other announced candidates really belong. Below are the 14 candidates ranked 14 - 1 and I make a clear line for who I think is a Hall of Famer and who is not...

14. Morten Andersen
Kicker (1982-2007)
0 Super Bowl Titles

Anderson has the career scoring record. That much is absolutely true. He has scored 2, 544 points for his career. That is extraordinary. However, he is still a kicker. He did not impact his team in any meaningful way. The guy was on terrible teams. Do you remember how bad those Saints teams were? Speaking of Saints, he was cut from the Saints in 1994 because he wasn't as accurate anymore. After he was cut from the Saints he made one more Pro Bowl in 1995. Following that pro bowl he was a short range kicker that could not do kickoffs and was no good past 40 yards. Had the current rule for extra points been in place during Andersen's era, he would be nowhere close to that record. He hit one clutch field goal in his entire career. That kick was the one that sent the Falcons to the Super Bowl in early 1998 (however it was only after a series of misses by Vikings kicker Gary Anderson). That game winner was from 39 yards away. What people conveniently forget is that Andersen missed a huge kick in week 17 of the 1996 season which allowed the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to advance to the playoffs. This guy isn't Adam Vinatieri. The kicks were not clutch. He just had a high volume of kicks. Not a Hall of Famer.

13. Tony Boselli
Offensive Tackle (1995-2002)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Tony Boselli only played 7 seasons as he did not actually play in 2002 for the Texans. He was really good and played at a Hall of Fame level while he played. Only playing 7 seasons though, in my opinion he would have to be absolutely dominant to make the Hall of Fame (as in best at his position). The best tackle during that time was Walter Jones followed by Jonathan Ogden and maybe Orlando Pace. Boselli was 3rd or 4th best in his era. He was just All-Pro 3 times. To top all of this off the Jaguars left him unprotected in the expansion draft and he never even played for the expansion Texans. His career ended being picked in an expansion draft. Not a Hall of Famer.

12. Kurt Warner
Quarterback (1995-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Kurt Warner was a fantastic quarterback. He was very effective and was key in bringing two franchises to Super Bowls. That being said, he was best known for being the greatest show on turf QB. Warner was the 5th best player in that offense. He had two receivers that should be in the Hall of Fame. The Rams had the one of the greatest dual threat runningbacks in the history of the game. Finally, they had a tackle that is already in the Hall of Fame. When he advanced the the Super Bowl in Arizona he had one of the best 10 receivers in the history of the game and another WR that will likely make the Hall of Fame. So in each place he advanced to the Super Bowl, he had 2 Hall of Fame receivers. His other stop in New York he was horrendous (a New York team that Eli Manning led to 2 Super Bowl Titles). He was great and I have no problem if people want to put him in Canton, but Kurt Warner is incredibly overrated. Not a Hall of Famer in my book.

11. Kevin Mawae
Center (1994-2009)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Mawae was a 7x 1st team All-Pro. He was a 8x Pro Bowler. Considered by most to be the best center of the 2000s and it is hard to argue that. Was a very effective pro, but there were some centers that were much better. In fact, recently elected center Dermontti Dawson was far better than Mawae. Not a Hall of Famer in my book, but would be fine with his election and think he will get in eventually. I am actually a big proponent of offensive linemen, which you probably don't think with some of these write-ups on this post.

10. Alan Faneca
Guard (1998-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
Faneca is where I draw the Hall of Fame line. I think he is a Hall of Famer, but does not deserve it above the guys to come and should not make it this year as a result. Had he just been a guard, I don't think he makes it despite his 9 Pro Bowls and 6 All-Pro selections. That is because Will Shields was so clearly better as a guard. However, Faneca was not just a guard, he was able to shift to tackle when necessary and lead a deadly Steelers rushing attack. Faneca anchored the Steelers offensive line following Dawson's retirement. He was very effective for a number of years.

9. Terell Davis
Runningback (1995-2001)
2 Super Bowl Titles

Davis only played seven years like Boselli. Why should he get included and not Boselli?
Well, Davis was the best player at his position for a few seasons and he was also the best player on a back to back Super Bowl Champion. Davis had 3 of the most incredible 3 year spans for a runningback and was 1st team All-Pro each season. He won an NFL MVP and was twice Offensive Player of the Year in the NFC. Davis only had 4 1000 yard seasons, but those seasons were 1117 yards, 1538 yards, 1750 yards, and 2008 yards. Davis is 3rd all-time in rushing yards per game behind only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. He was an infinitely better back than Jerome Bettis (whom I adore and was one of my personal favorites) who is already a Hall of Famer. He was clearly a better player than Bettis and Martin, just has less career yards because the other two played longer. Davis got hurt, should he be penalized for that?
He was the best in the league before that. Not sure that should incur a penalty. He is this low though because he did not have the longevity. I get it, I just also think he should eventually be in the Hall.

8. John Lynch
Safety (1993-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
John Lynch was an amazing  football player and one of my personal favorites. While being one of my favorites does not make him a Hall of Famer, his excellence makes him a worthy candidate. I would love to have him higher on the list, but there are a few more deserving candidates and he will likely have to wait a year or two. Lynch was a 9 time pro bowler and a 3 time all-pro. He was one of the anchors of the Buccaneers defense that led the team to the Super Bowl in 2002 and many playoff appearances. The safety was the 3rd or 4th best player on that dominant defense though. I personally believe he had more of an impact than Warren Sapp on the Buccaneers success and should be in, but he is close to a borderline candidate. Lynch will be remembered as one of the hardest hitting safety of all-time. He will be remembered for helping lead the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Lynch was inducted into the Ring of Honor for both the Buccaneers and the Broncos. Should Lynch be penalized because of how excellent Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber were.

7. Isaac Bruce
Wide Receiver (1994-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Bruce was one of those amazing playmakers that Warner had at his disposal for the greatest show on turf. He is a 4 time Pro Bowler and he has 15,208 career yards to go with 91 touchdowns. The yardage total is 4th all-time. His 91 touchdowns rank 12th all-time. Extraordinary numbers for the no doubt Hall of Famer. Bruce had 8 1,000 yard receiving seasons, two of which were before Kurt Warner's arrival, and two of which were after he left. Warner was only there for half of his 1,000 yard seasons. He led the league in receiving in 1996 before the arrival of Kurt Warner. He was an insturmental part of one of the most dynamic offenses in history and made his mark before the legendary QB even arrived. His all-time numbers deserve induction.

6. Jason Taylor
Defensive End (1997-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Just on the surface I was thinking no on Taylor, but I dug a little deeper. I remembered the dominant season and thought that season was a Hall of Fame season, but did Taylor really have a Hall of Fame career?
The answer was a resounding yes. Taylor was a 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Year to go with his NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He's a 6x Pro Bowler and a 3x 1st team All-Pro. Taylor is the NFL's all-time leader in fumble return touchdowns. The defensive end also is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. Those are two legendary stats that deserve serious Hall consideration on their own. Taylor though is known best for hist ability to get to the quarterback. He did just that 139.5 times. That total ranks seventh all-time. All the players in front of Taylor on that list are in  the hall of fame with the exception of the not yet eligible Julius Peppers. There are several behind him that are known as sack masters that are also included. He is ahead of Richard Dent, John Randle, and even Lawrence Taylor on that list. Surely, Taylor belongs when you consider his entire body of work.

5. Terrell Owens
Wide Receiver (1996-2010)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Owens receives a very bad rap for his role as a "team obilterator." Some of that has merit and some of that does not. If he did not help his team win, that should hurt his Hall of Fame case. However, there are a few places that he obviously helped his team. Owens played in the Super Bowl on a severely sprained ankle and fractured fibula coming back much sooner than predicted (or than most possibly could). Not only that, but Owens caught 9 balls for 122 yards and nearly willed the Eagles to a victory over the Patriots. That performance added to the career body of work should make Owens a no doubter. I say he's in, but I understand the case against. Take out the media garbage and he is definitely in. Owens led the league in receiving touchdowns 3 times. The guy is 3rd all-time in receiving touchdowns and 2nd all-time in yards. It is hard to imagine him being kept out much longer. It is possible though.

4. Brian Dawkins
Safety (1996-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
We already talked about the Super Bowl Dawkins nearly won in the T.O. section, but let's talk about the winning legacy Dawkins had. Brian Dawkins anchored an Eagles defense that went to 4 straight NFC Championship games. 4 straight and winning the game once. We give the Bills a lot of credit for 4 straight Super Bowl losses, and history will eventually give this Eagles team credit for their success despite their ultimate failure. Dawkins was without a doubt the best player on that defense. He is a 9 time Pro Bowler and 4 time 1st team All-Pro. The Eagles retired his jersey, making him the 9th player in the 80 year franchise history to have his jersey retired. No doubt Hall of Fame guy.

3. Ty Law
Cornerback (1995-2009)
3 Super Bowl Titles

Law is a sneaky good corner that most don't realize how good he was. The Patriots Hall of Famer was the best player on that defense that won 3 Super Bowl Titles. He was a true shut down corner and absolutely shut down opposing receivers. Law was also a 5x Pro Bowler and 2x 1st Team All-Pro. A number that was low in part due to the excellence of Champ Bailey, Rod Woodson, and Deion Sanders who played in his era. Just remember best defensive player on a team that won 3 Super Bowls. Defense is said to win championships after all. Additionally, after winning 3 titles with Law, the Patriots did not win their next Super Bowl championship until 10 years after Law left New England. That despite the fact that they had arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time under center that entire time.

2. Joe Jacoby
Tackle (1981-1993)
3 Super Bowl Titles
Jacoby is long overdue for a Hall of Fame induction. The 1980s were partially defined as an era by the offensive line of the Redskins who were referred to as the hogs. That unit was led by its best player, Joe Jacoby. It led the Redskins to 3 Super Bowl Titles. It was one of the best front fives in NFL history. The fact that its best player has not yet been inducted is a joke. Jacoby absolutely should get in this year, and I believe that he FINALLY does.

1. LaDanian Tomlinson
Runningback (2001-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
If you do not believe LaDanian Tomlinson is a Hall of Famer, you must not have watched football in the last 20 years. LT was without a doubt top 5 RB all-time. I have seen Emmit, Barry, TD, Faulk, and many other greats in this era, but LT was only behind Barry in that group. Tomlinson is 5th all-time in rushing yards and 2nd all-time in touchdowns. He has a wide range of NFL records including most TDs in a single season. The guy is just as sure fire as you can get for a Hall of Famer.

So in summary I believe 10 guys eventually belong in. Since 5 get in annually, I believe those 5 this year should be LT, Jacoby, Law, Dawkins, and Owens. However, I suspect the 5 will be LT, Jacoby, Dawkins, Taylor, and Warner. We will see what the voters decide in a few short weeks.

-Noland