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Two players could be first-year inductions into Pro Football HOF

Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Two players have strong case to be first-year inductions into Pro Football HOF

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 8/5/23

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023 was inducted on Saturday. Today belongs to members including Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Zach Thomas and DeMarcus Ware and in 12 months, they will be joined in Canton — ideally with a class that includes Devin Hester and Torry Holt, as well as some prominent players in their first year on the ballot.

Notable first-time eligible players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 include Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Antonio Gates, Brandon Marshall, Haloti Ngata and Julius Peppers. pic.twitter.com/NUqtHCZRQQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2023

ESPN's Adam Schefter listed six players with a worthy case for enshrinement and two stand out as the most likely to receive a gold jacket in their first year of eligibility: Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers.

Gates is on the short list of greatest tight ends in NFL history. An eight-time Pro Bowler, Gates was named a member of the Hall of Fame All-2000s Team and was First Team All-Pro three consecutive seasons (2004-06) during his 16-year career.

He ranks 30th all-time in receiving yards (11,841), finishing ahead of Hall of Famers Don Maynard (11,834), Calvin Johnson (11,619) and Shannon Sharpe (10,060).

Among tight ends, only Tony Gonzalez (15,127) and Jason Witten (13,046) have more receiving yards.

Peppers, meanwhile, was one of the most dominant defensive ends during his 17-year career (2002-18). He was named Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002, First Team All-Pro three times (2004, 2006, 2010) and was a member of both the Hall of Fame All-2000s and All-2010s Team. His 134.5 career sacks are the ninth-most among defensive ends in NFL history.

The other players mentioned by Schefter are by no means scrubs and have strong cases to be honored in 2024.

Safety Eric Berry was named a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010s team and was the AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2015 after returning from Hodgkin's lymphoma. He also was named First-Team All-Pro three times (2013, 2015, 2016).

Jamaal Charles rushed for 7,563 yards during his 11-year career and led the league in rush touchdowns in 2013. In the Super Bowl era, his 5.4 average yards per attempt are the most by a running back with at least 1,400 career carries.

Brandon Marshall played 13 seasons and finished his career with 970 receptions, 12,351 yards and 83 touchdowns. He was named First Team All-Pro in 2012 with the Bears. Haloti Ngata also played 13 seasons and was a dominant force on the defensive line for the Ravens. From 2009-13, he made five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with a nod as a First-Team All-Pro in 2010.

Any of the four might need to plan a trip to Ohio for next August. If so, it would be a shock if they aren't joined by Gates and Peppers.

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