Top 5 NFL Players Who Aren't in the Hall of Fame but Should Be

The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class has been announced, and there was a very deserving group of players that got the call. There will always be time to celebrate those players, but it's also time to look at the players that were not included in the announcement. 

It's not easy getting into the Hall of Fame, but there are clearly those players that should be enshrined. Here is a look at the top five players who aren't in the Hall of Fame but should be. 

Devin Hester

Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is the greatest kick returner in NFL history, and he was a player that absolutely changed the game. Hester still hasn't gotten the call to the Hall of Fame yet, but he was a finalist in 2023. 

The Hall of Fame has not given this status to any kick returners in history, but it's Devin Hester that is the most deserving at that position. He is going to get honored at some point, but it's already been two years too long.

Darren Woodson

Darren Woodson was another finalist for the Hall of Fame in 2023, but he didn't get the ultimate honor. It's extremely surprising that Woodson has not yet been included in the Hall of Fame, as he was one of the best defensive players of his era. 

There was a ton of focus on the Dallas Cowboys offense in the 1990s, but it was Woodson that was the leader of that defense. Woodson is going to get the honor at some point, but it's a shame that he wasn't enshrined much earlier.

Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis was a dominant linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, and he was one of the most feared defensive players of his era. It felt as if Willis was going to get the call in 2023, but he didn't make it despite being a finalist. 

The defensive side of the football is loaded with great players, but Willis put up stats that should have him in the Hall of Fame. His stats are hard to ignore, and at some point, he is going to get the honor that he deserves.

Torry Holt

Torry Holt was one of the best players in the history of the St. Louis Rams, and he played on a team that was called, "The Greatest Show on Turf." Holt wasn't the best receiver on that team, but he had some huge seasons with quarterback Kurt Warner throwing him the football. 

There have been plenty of people that are hyping Holt up as a future Hall of Fame member, but he hasn't been close to getting enshrined.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne was the top wide receiver for quarterback Peyton Manning, and he also had a huge season with Andrew Luck. The numbers that Wayne put up were ridiculous, but his teams didn't always have a ton of postseason success. 

Getting into the Hall of Fame at the wide receiver position isn't easy, but Wayne should be included in that group. Wayne will have to get in through the Modern Era committee, and that group should include him at some point.

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All Media on this page by Associated Press.