Pro Football Hall of Fame 2024: NFL Inductees, Class Finalists and Predictions

Another wave of football legends will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August. And on Thursday night, we'll find out who will be heading to Canton, Ohio, to be immortalized among the all-time greats.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class is set to be announced during the 13th annual NFL Honors, which will air live Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network. Of the 15 modern-era finalists, up to five could be voted into the Hall of Fame this year.

Here's the list of this year's finalists, followed by a look at the five modern-era players who could be among the Class of 2024.

Modern-Era Finalists

Eric Allen, DB, Philadelphia Eagles (1988-94), New Orleans Saints (1995-97), Oakland Raiders (1998-2001)

Jared Allen, DE, Kansas City Chiefs (2004-07), Minnesota Vikings (2008-13), Chicago Bears (2014-15), Carolina Panthers (2015)

Willie Anderson, OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1996-2007), Baltimore Ravens (2008)

Jahri Evans, OL, New Orleans Saints (2006-16), Green Bay Packers (2017)

Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts (2002-12), San Diego Chargers (2013-14), Arizona Cardinals (2015), Atlanta Falcons (2016), Detroit Lions (2017), Seattle Seahawks (2017)

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2003-18)

Rodney Harrison, DB, San Diego Chargers (1994-2002), New England Patriots (2003-08)

Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR, Chicago Bears (2006-13), Atlanta Falcons (2014-15), Baltimore Ravens (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2016)

Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams (1999-2008), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009)

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans (2003-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015), Tennessee Titans (2016)

Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers (2002-09, 2017-18), Chicago Bears (2010-13), Green Bay Packers (2014-16)

Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008), New England Patriots (2009-10)

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (2001-14)

Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers (2007-14)

Darren Woodson, S, Dallas Cowboys (1992-2003)

Senior Finalists

Randy Gradishar, LB, Denver Broncos (1974-83)

Steve McMichael, DT, New England Patriots (1980), Chicago Bears (1981-93), Green Bay Packers (1994)

Art Powell, WR/DB, Philadelphia Eagles (1959), New York Titans (1960-62), Oakland Raiders (1963-66), Buffalo Bills (1967), Minnesota Vikings (1968)

Contributor/Coach Finalist

Buddy Parker, head coach, Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56), Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-64)

Antonio Gates should be a lock for the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.

An eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, Gates was a legendary tight end who spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Chargers. He played 236 games (including 190 starts) and finished with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns (the most in league history among tight ends).

There's no question about it: Gates will be in the Class of 2024, and deservedly so. He was a premier player at his position and was a steadying presence on the Chargers offense for close to two decades.

The third time as a finalist should be the charm for Devin Hester, who is the greatest return man in NFL history. Although he never made much of an impact on offense or defense during his 11-year career, he was a game-changer on special teams, especially throughout his eight years in Chicago.

Hester holds the NFL records for punt-return touchdowns (14) and overall return TDs (19). He broke into the league in impressive fashion, as he had five return touchdowns (three on punts and two on kickoffs) as a rookie in 2006, and then six more (two on punts and four on kickoffs) in 2007. He also returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a score.

A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, Hester had a Hall of Fame-worthy career because of his return excellence.

Torry Holt is overdue for a call to the Hall of Fame, as this year marks his fifth time as a finalist. The former wide receiver was stellar throughout his 11-year NFL career (with 10 of those seasons coming for the Rams).

A seven-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and former Super Bowl champion, Holt put up big receiving totals during his time in the league. He finished with 920 catches for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns, and he twice led the NFL in receiving yards.

There are several great wide receivers among this year's finalists, and any of them could get in. But it should be Holt's turn.

Gates shouldn't be the only first-ballot Hall of Famer this year. The Class of 2024 will likely also feature Julius Peppers, who was among the NFL's best pass-rushers during his 17-year career.

Peppers played for three teams, but he spent his first eight seasons and his final two with the Panthers. A nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, the defensive end recorded 159.5 sacks in 266 career games.

Only three players have more sacks since the stat became official in 1982: Bruce Smith (200), Reggie White (198) and Kevin Greene (160). Each of those former players is a Hall of Famer, and Peppers should be, too, in the near future.

Patrick Willis played only eight seasons in the NFL, appearing in 112 games for the San Francisco 49ers. That could be the reason the former linebacker didn't make it into the Hall of Fame his first two times as a finalist.

However, the length of Willis' career shouldn't keep him out of the Hall any longer, because he was an impactful player on San Francisco's defense the entire time. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection who recorded 950 tackles, 20.5 sacks and eight interceptions.

It's time for Willis to be inducted in Canton, and it could happen this year.