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The list of 2022 Hall of Fame semifinalists has been released, and NFL fans can see some familiar names such as Steve Smith and Devin Hester up for induction.
Looking at such a list makes it easy to imagine current players who are on a path toward Hall of Fame induction. But let's take it a step further and consider NFL players who are not only on the path to enshrinement, but who are on course to get in on their first ballot.
Here are five current NFL players who should be locked in for the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
Future first-ballot NFL Hall of Famers
#5 - Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is one of the best players to ever play in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers quarterback is a three-time NFL MVP with a Super Bowl victory to his name. For a quarterback, that is everything. He was also the MVP of the Super Bowl game.
In addition, Rodgers is a four-time All-Pro and is not slowing down at all with age. He threw for a remarkable 48 touchdowns last season. If he wants to, he may pull a Tom Brady and play well into his 40s. If he does that, with the extra game added to the schedule, he may chase several all-time records. He just needs Brady to retire and stop upping the all-time totals.
Rodgers is 10th all-time in passing yards and will only continue to rise up that list as his career continues. He could retire today and still have a first-ballot career on his résumé. Winning one more Super Bowl, whether in Green Bay or elsewhere, will truly cement his legacy and make the Hall of Fame an obvious part of it.
#4 - Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald has had a legendary career, and he is only in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Rams. The dominant defender has made seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. He is on pace to achieve both feats again in 2021.
Donald is also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and is already at 91.5 sacks for his career. He is probably not going to challenge Bruce Smith's mark of 200. However, he did have 20.5 sacks back in 2018, so another huge year like that will change the narrative of what Donald can achieve in his career.
Making six consecutive First-Team All-Pro teams is just mind-blowing. Donald has shown no signs of slowing down. He entered the league as a star and is continuing to play at an all-time elite level. Once his career is over, he will be a lock to go in on his first ballot. A simple look at his NFL résumé tells the full story without digging any deeper.
#3 - Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams
Star NFL defender Von Miller is now with the Los Angeles Rams, but he would of course enter the Hall of Fame as a member of the Denver Broncos. He may also return to the team following the 2021 season if a reunion is wanted by either side.
Miller is already a future Hall of Famer at this point. He is a seven-time All-Pro, a Super Bowl MVP, and has 110.5 sacks in his career. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and has not slowed down since. His numbers would be even bigger if he didn't miss the entire 2020 season.
But is he a first-ballot Hall of Famer? It is hard to imagine him being on the ballot and not getting inducted immediately. Getting over 100 sacks is the first NFL bar to cross, and he will have done that and much more. Add the All-Pro honors he has already received, and there should be no debate.
#2 - Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger's NFL career is nearing its end. That could mean he is the first player on this list to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Not being enshrined with his first ballot would be an absolute shock.
Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has made six Pro Bowls in his career. He is sixth on the all-time passing yards list and still has a chance to jump up to fifth place before the 2021 NFL season is over.
The two Super Bowl titles have essentially locked up Roethlisberger's case. Him throwing for over 5,000 yards in 2018 also proved his career was still thriving near its end. The signal-caller is also the only one of eight NFL quarterbacks to ever throw for over 400 touchdowns. The résumé is too strong to keep him out as soon as he is eligible.
#1 - Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We finally get to the obvious member on this first-ballot Hall of Fame list. Tom Brady could realistically be enshrined right now and there would not be much opposition.
Do we even need to go over his NFL résumé? He has won seven Super Bowls and was the MVP in five of them. He has won three regular-season MVPs and is a 14-time Pro Bowler as well. Brady has made five All-Pro teams as well.
Brady is the only quarterback to throw for over 600 touchdowns and is now on a quest to reach 90,000 career passing yards. He is changing the concept of NFL records and it is going to be hard for anyone to even get on a realistic pace to catch him.
The question now is when Brady will be eligible for induction. He seems to have no end in sight and can play until he is 50 years old. What we do know is that he will go in as a member of the New England Patriots, and rightfully so.
