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2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Ranking the final 25

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures on the field in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures on the field in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Tom Flores and his Los Angeles Raiders prepare for battle against the San Diego Chargers during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 28, 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 17-13. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Tom Flores and his Los Angeles Raiders prepare for battle against the San Diego Chargers during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 28, 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 17-13. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Wait ’til next year:

Leroy Butler (S)

The secondary captain for those great Green Bay Packers defenses of the mid-to-late 1990s. He was one of those who helped bring the safety blitz into the mainstream at that time.

Clay Matthews (S)

One of the great defensive ironmen. He was a consistently good linebacker and pass rusher for the Cleveland Browns. One could never truly call him dominant though.

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Karl Mecklenburg (MLB)

It didn’t help that he was playing in an era with Mike Singletary, Harry Carson, and Junior Seau. Despite having over 1,100 tackles and 81 sacks, he always seemed overshadowed.

Richard Seymour (DT)

A member of that Patriots dynasty of the 2000s and a force at defensive tackle for a number of years. However, it didn’t reflect well on how easily New England moved on after trading him.

Edgerrin James (RB)

Having to follow Marshall Faulk must’ve been an unenviable task, but James did it brilliantly with over 12,000 yards and 80 touchdowns. Sadly, he’ll always be a beneficiary of Peyton Manning.

Kevin Mawae (C)

A truly great center for not one but two different teams. Unfortunately, those two teams were the Titans and Jets. Not exactly the most elevating background for a player. Still, eight Pro Bowls.

Tom Flores (HC)

He was the first Latino head coach in NFL history and won two Super Bowl championships. That should be enough to get him in but his unassuming style and a bad run in Seattle hurt more than help.

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