Early look at the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot

With the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class officially announced, it's time to turn our attention to the former NFL stars who could be immortalized next year.

Here's the rundown on what the 2025 ballot could look like:

1st-year eligible players

There are several interesting first-year eligible candidates for 2025, with the likes of Eli Manning, Luke Kuechly, Marshawn Lynch, and Adam Vinatieri getting a shot for the first time. Here are some of the most notable former players who'll be in their first year of eligibility:

Marshawn Lynch: Beast Mode is eligible for induction for the first time in 2025 and brings 12,627 total yards and 94 touchdowns with him. Lynch eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark six times in his career, led the league in rushing scores twice, and captured Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks.

Luke Kuechly: Kuechly retired abruptly at 28 years old while still being one of the league's best linebackers. He spent his entire career with the Panthers, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year (2013) while being named a first-team All-Pro five times.

Eli Manning: A two-time champion responsible for arguably the most famous play and the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, Manning's case will be contentious. In addition to his clutch title wins, he ranks 10th in both career passing yards and passing touchdowns. But Manning has zero career All-Pro nominations and led the NFL in interceptions three times.

Adam Vinatieri: No player has been responsible for more points in NFL history. Vinatieri's 2,673 points are 129 more than the next closest. He also led the league in field-goal percentage three times, won four Super Bowls, and made three first-team All-Pro teams during his 24-year career with the Patriots and Colts.

Terrell Suggs: Suggs spent the bulk of his 139-sack career with the Ravens before playing for the Cardinals and Chiefs in his final season. T-Sizzle won both Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003) and Defensive Player of the Year (2011) during his 17-year career. He also won a pair of Super Bowl rings.

Earl Thomas: One of the most-feared members of Seattle's Legion of Boom defense, Thomas was a rangy safety who could also deliver big hits. The Texas product was a first-team All-Pro three times, won Super Bowl XLVIII, and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team after racking up 30 interceptions, 71 pass deflections, and 12 forced fumbles.

Marshal Yanda: A member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Yanda was a stalwart on the Ravens' offensive line from 2007-19. The Iowa product earned two first-team All-Pro nods, five second-team selections, and eight Pro Bowl berths.

Clay Matthews: Matthews is the Packers' all-time leader in sacks and was instrumental in Green Bay's Super Bowl victory during the 2010 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl six times and boasts one first-team All-Pro nomination and one second-team nod.

Joe Staley: Staley spent his entire 13-year career with the 49ers after being taken in the first round in 2007. He was a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, earned six Pro Bowl nominations, and was named a second-team All-Pro three times. Staley was a key piece during San Francisco's run to three straight conference title games and one Super Bowl appearance from 2011-13.

Cameron Wake: Wake started his NFL career at 27 years old after terrorizing CFL quarterbacks for two seasons. The pass-rusher racked up 100.5 sacks during his time with the Dolphins and Titans despite that late start. He was a force in the run game, too, with 99 tackles for loss. Wake led the league in that category with 21 in 2010.

Aqib Talib: A cornerback with a great eye for the football, Talib racked up 35 interceptions during his 12-year career. He started his NFL tenure with the Buccaneers before establishing himself as one of the NFL's best defenders during a four-year stretch with the Broncos that included a Super Bowl victory and four of his five career Pro Bowl nods.

Best of 2024 modern-era finalists

Antonio Gates: The Chargers legend not making it in his first year of eligibility was shocking. One of the most dominant receivers of all time, the eight-time Pro Bowler leads all tight ends with 116 career touchdown catches and also ranks third all time in receptions (955) and receiving yards (11,841) among players at his position. It's hard to imagine him missing the cut again in 2025.

Jared Allen: Allen was a finalist for the fourth time in 2024, and he'll get in eventually. The 2025 class could be seen as stronger than this year's ballot, though, so he might have to wait an extra year. Still, Allen ranks in the top 15 on the all-time sack list. He should be inducted at some point after retiring with five Pro Bowl nods and four first-team All-Pro berths.

Reggie Wayne: Few wide receivers in the modern era were as clutch as Wayne, who helped the Colts win a Super Bowl and also ranks in the top 10 for career catches (1,070) and receiving yards (14,345). He's been a finalist for five straight years.

Torry Holt: Like Wayne, Holt is a five-time finalist who many thought would already be inducted by now. It'll be hard for him to make it, given how stacked the 2025 class could be, but the former Rams star has an impressive resume. Holt, a seven-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in receiving twice, retired with the 10th-most receiving yards in NFL history.

Willie Anderson: Anderson was one of two linemen who were finalists in 2024. It'll be harder for Anderson - a three-time finalist - to make the cut in 2025, but expect him to at least be a contender again. In his prime, the former Bengals blocker was a premier offensive tackle who claimed three first-team All-Pro nods while playing 195 career games.

Jahri Evans: Evans' shot was arguably stronger in 2024 than it'll be next year. But the fact that the former Saints guard was a finalist in his second year of eligibility is a good sign. The six-time Pro Bowler, who started 183 games in his career, was a cornerstone of New Orleans' O-line for 11 seasons during the Drew Brees era and helped the team win its first-ever Super Bowl.

Darren Woodson: Woodson was a finalist for the second time in 2024 but has been eligible for 16 years now. The former Cowboys defender was one of the most versatile safeties of his era and ended his career with 23 interceptions and 967 tackles.