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Pro Football Hall of Fame: 5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2019

By Erik Lambert

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 1: Cliff Branch #21 of the Los Angeles Raiders runs the ball against Mel Blount #47 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional playoff game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 1, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 38-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 1: Cliff Branch #21 of the Los Angeles Raiders runs the ball against Mel Blount #47 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional playoff game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 1, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 38-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 20: Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers looks for room to run during the 1990 NFC Championship game against the New York Giants at Candlestick Park on January 20, 1991 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 15-13. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 20: Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers looks for room to run during the 1990 NFC Championship game against the New York Giants at Candlestick Park on January 20, 1991 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 15-13. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Roger Craig (RB, 1983-1993)

Honestly, it’s baffling that Roger Craig isn’t in already. Here’s a man who was probably a decade ahead of his time in the NFL. During the 1980s the running back position was still a primarily ground-and-pound job. Feed it the ball 20-25 times and wear a defense out. Craig was the first who truly made running backs a featured part of the passing game in that 49ers West Coast offense.

He was the first man to post 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Four Pro Bowls. Three Super Bowl rings. Two seasons going over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. What else must a man do to get his gold jacket? Sure he played with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, but does that team win four titles in the ’80s without him? That’s doubtful.

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