![Most seem to believe Troy Polamalu will be named a Hall of Famer in his first year of eligibility. [Image Source: Flickr | Brook Ward]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/2/5/660x290/b_502x220x82/most-seem-to-believe-troy-polamalu-will-be-named-a-hall-of-famer-in-his-first-year-of-eligibility-image-source-flickr-brook-ward_2199127.jpg "Most seem to believe Troy Polamalu will be named a Hall of Famer in his first year of eligibility. [Image Source: Flickr | Brook Ward]")
On Saturday, eight new people were announced as the Class of 2019 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As reported by ESPN, they were cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Ty Law, safeties Ed Reed and Johnny Robinson, tight end Tony Gonzalez, center Kevin Mawae, and contributors Gil Brandt and Pat Bowlen.
Many new players who have been out of the league for five years will now be eligible to be enshrined for the first time for the Class of 2020. Here are ten notable former players (listed in alphabetical order) who are in their first year of eligibility that made quite the impact while playing.
John Abraham, DE (Jets 2000-05, Falcons 2006-12, Cardinals 2013-14)
A former first round pick by the Jets, Abraham's 133.5 career sacks rank 12th all-time. The five-time Pro Bowler reached double figures in sacks eight different seasons including a career-high of 16.5 in 2008.
Lance Briggs, LB (Bears 2003-14)
Briggs was a catalyst along with Brian Urlacher for the excellent defenses that Chicago possessed in the mid-to-late 2000's. He was named to seven straight Pro Bowl rosters from 2005-11. He intercepted 16 passes in his career while returning five for touchdowns.
Darnell Dockett, DT (Cardinals 2004-14)
Dockett was a three-time Pro Bowler receiving the honors for the 2007, 2009, and 2010 seasons. For his career, he got to the quarterback 40.5 times for sacks. He also received 14 fumbles and intercepted four passes.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB (Jaguars 2006-13, Raiders 2014)
Jones-Drew didn't have a long prime of his career, but there was a time when he was known as one of the league's best running backs. He rushed for 13 touchdowns as a rookie and ended his career with 68 scores on the ground (another 11 receiving). He made three straight Pro Bowls from 2009-11 when he rushed for 4,321 yards.
Santana Moss, WR (Jets 2001-04, Redskins 2005-14)
A Pro Bowler for the 2005 season, Moss finished his career with 732 receptions for 10,283 yards and 66 touchdowns. Those totals rank 43rd, 43rd, and tied for 54th respectively in league history. Four times he was able to go over 1,000 yards receiving in a year.
Troy Polamalu, S (Steelers 2003-14)
One of the elite safeties in the history of the game, Polamalu was a eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro in his 12 seasons. The 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year intercepted 34 passes and was feared by opposing receivers due to his ferocious hits. According to CBS Sports, he is the most-likely of this group to be enshrined in his first year of eligibility.
Justin Smith, DE/DT (Bengals 2001-07, 49ers 2008-14)
Smith became one of the preeminent pass rushers from the defensive tackle position once he joined the 49ers. He was named to five straight Pro Bowls from 2009-13. He ended his career with 87 sacks and 16 forced fumbles.
Osi Umenyiora, DE (Giants 2003-12, Falcons 2013-14)
Umenyiora was a major part of a Giants' pass rush that helped the team to two Super Bowl wins. Three times he had at least 11.5 sacks, and he forced 10 fumbles in the 2010 season. For his career, he compiled 85 sacks and 35 forced fumbles.
Reggie Wayne, WR (Colts 2001-14)
During Wayne's 14-year career, he caught 1,070 passes (10th all-time) for 13,345 yards (10th all-time) and 82 touchdowns (tied for 24th all-time). Eight times he finished with over 1,000 yards receiving including seven years in a row from 2004-10 (led NFL with 1,510 receiving yards in 2007).
Patrick Willis, LB (49ers 2007-14)
While his career wasn't all that lengthy, Willis sure had a productive and effective stay in the NFL. Each of his first seven seasons he made the Pro Bowl, and five times he was named First Team All-Pro. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2007 season.
