5 NFL defensive players bound for the Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is what each NFL player aspires to reach after their career finishes. Only the very best feature in Canton, but there are plenty of players playing across the league that could make it once they call it a career.

Many of the obvious names play offense. Superstars like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers will most definitely be Hall of Famers once they retire. But what about the players trying to stop them? That is the focus here as we count down five current defensive players destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

#1 - Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack could easily be admitted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he calls it quits. So far in his career with the Raiders, Bears and now the Chargers, Mack has 76.5 sacks and 23 forced fumbles since being drafted in 2014. He was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, as well as being named All-Pro on four separate occasions.

Mack has also made six Pro Bowls and was voted into the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team. At just 31 Mack still has time to add to his already stacked resume, and with Joey Bosa opposite him on the Los Angeles Chargers defensive line, we can easily see him doing so.

#2 - J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt is another edge rusher who will definitely be a Hall of Famer once retires. With the Houston Texans and now the Arizona Cardinals, Watt has caused havoc for opposition offenses. He has recorded 102.0 total sacks, along with 547 total tackles and 26 forced fumbles.

Watt has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions (2012, 2014, 2015), as well as being named first-team All-Pro five times. He has also led the league in sacks twice. Watt has made five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team.

Unfortunately, Watt has struggled with injuries in recent years as he comes to the twilight of his career, but he’s a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame one day.