Forgot about Will Shields (2012) but I’m sure he’ll fall behind Willie Roaf (OT) and D.Dawson (C) next year, then Ogden (OT) and Allen (G) a year later and finally Walter Jones (OT) in 2015. By 2016 I can see Faneca (G) joining Pace (OT), Shields (G) and Mawae (C) on the ballot with eventually Steve Hutchinson (G) some day in the future. Will they cancel each other out like Carter/Brown/Reed at WR?

Roaf, Ogden, W.Jones and Pace may also all be elected (certainly the first 3 should) by the time Faneca is eligible.

While I think your “first ballot” guys are all getting elected, am thinking OG Faneca, CB Bailey, and S Reed will wait longer than this. I see Bailey as comparable to Aeneas Williams, who didn’t even reach finalist status in his first eligible season, though it was also an admittedly tough ballot year. Agreed with boknows34 that Larry Allen is probably the only interior OL who will likely get in “first ballot” anytime in the foreseeable future. There’s always a chance WRs Moss and/or Owens might wait a year or two as well, as this is a position the HoF voters don’t like as much — there actually have been very few “first ballot” guys at this position. Same is even more true of safeties.

For your non “first ballot” players, agree that Taylor has a great chance to be elected and am thinking Brees is well on his way. Jury’s still out on McNabb, but he’s not out in left field, either. Barber is better than many remember and Woodson helped his case out a decent bit last year — and while I see a reasonable case for either, am thinking whether either gets elected may be a crap shoot. I just don’t see Sharper getting voted in, as he’s at a position the HoF voters don’t like and am thinking he’s in a pecking order behind Reed and Brian Dawkins, likely in a logjam with Troy Polamalu and John Lynch at present.

Agree with boknows34′s list of omissions above — add Steve Hutchinson, Kevin Mawae, Kevin Williams, and likely at least two more of Dwight Freeney, Richard Seymour, and Julius Peppers in sooner or later. Antonio Gates might make it as well, though there’s an outside chance he might get ignored as has so far happened to Ben Coates.

How close do you consider Antonio Gates (3/6/00s) and Steve Hutchinson (5/7/00s) Hutchinson in particular is coming towards the end of his career and can also add 2 more 2nd team All-Pros. I would put him in the ‘not first ballot’ list alongside Kevin Mawae (3/8/00s). Faneca is certainly Canton bound but not sure if he’s 1st ballot when you consider Randall McDaniel (7/12/90s) was only elected on his 3rd attempt. Its extremely tough for interior linemen to make it 1st ballot and a lot depends who the competition is that year but I think Larry Allen might be the only future 1st ballot interior O.Linemen for the considerable future.

A few other veteran names that might be considered HOFers by the time they retire are Richard Seymour (3/5/00s), Julius Peppers (2/5/00s), Dwight Freeney (3/5/00s) and Kevin Williams (5/5/00s). I agree with your assessment on Ed Reed and safetys. Three of the four safetys selected for the 90s decade team are still waiting for the call to Canton (Atwater, Butler, Lake). Darren Sharper (2/5/00s with 63 INTS), Brian Dawkins (4/8/00s) and Troy Polamalu (2/5/00s with 2 rings) will likely join a big logjam though hopefully by then there may be a change in voters attitude to the position.

QB: Brett Favre. Ints are going up, as usual, but stats are too much to keep him out.
QB: Peyton Manning: Best regular season player.
QB: Tom Brady: Tom Terrific. 3x Champ. 9-2. Will win one more before he retires.
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson: Could end up with the most rushing TDs in NFL history ( needs 18). Signed a 2 year deal.
WR: Randy Moss: Probably the 2nd greatest WR of all time.
WR: Terrell Owens: Love him or hate him, He is one of the top 5 greatest WRs of all time.
TE: Tony Gonzalez: Has every TE record, for the absolute most part. One of 7 players with 1,000 receptions.
G: Alan Faneca: 6/9/00s is damn good

LB: Ray Lewis: He will probably be named to 1st Team All Pro again. So, make that 8 First Team All Pros.
CB: Champ Bailey: 3/9/00s. Great lock down corner.

S: Ed Reed: The Safety position is the toughest position to make the Hall Of Fame, besides kicker, punter, and kick and punt returners. But, he is one of the best all time. 4/6/00s. 50 Ints, 5 sacks, 100 pass defensed, Over 400 tackles, 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, Holds the record for 1st and 2nd longest Int’s in NFL history,

Active Players who will make the Hall Of Fame, but not first ballot (as of now):

QB: Drew Brees: Could be a first ballot as of now.

QB: Donovan McNabb: Consistent throughout his career. If he plays out his 5 year deal, than he could end up with somewhere around 260 TD’s. And he doesn’t throw many picks and can run.

CB: Charles Woodson: He is be a first ballot when its all said and done.

CB: Ronde Barber. Yes, Ronde Barber. I think he is impressive. His stats are good. 3/5/00s 40 Ints, 26 sacks, 1,035 tackles, 12 non Offensive TDs (7 Int’s for TDs 4 fumble recovery TD’s, 1 punt return). Won the Super Bowl.

DE/LB: Jason Taylor. He is playing good ball these days.