This week’s events at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH are going to have plenty of Cowboys flavor. As we see key figures from Dallas’ past honored with inductions, it may make you wonder who from the current roster could one day join them.
From Dallas playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night to the two enshrinements this weekend, America’s Team will be a constant feature in the this year’s ceremonies. On Saturday, former coach Jimmy Johnson and 1970s safety Cliff Harris will be enshrined as the Class of 2020, getting a delayed ceremony due to the pandemic.
On Sunday, the original #88 Drew Pearson will get his long-overdue induction with the Class of 2021.
We can all think of some other Cowboys greats who deserve to join the Hall of Fame. Some still clamor for Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Lee Roy Jordan from the more distant past, while Darren Woodson is the most egregious exemption right now from the 90s. Hopefully all who deserving will get their day.
We can also think of some more recent Dallas players who should be recognized. It’s only a matter of time before Jason Witten and DeMarcus Ware are inducted, and Tony Romo’s commentary career may ultimately push him over the borderline.
But what about our current Cowboys?
In his article, Vinnie Iyer astutely gives Zack Martin and Tyron Smith the best odds (85%) of making the Hall of Fame from among Dallas’ current players. With 13 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro selections between them, the resumes for both are as good as many offensive linemen already in Canton.
Next up are Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott with 50% odds. In both cases, it all depends on how the second half of their careers play out. If they can keep producing the way they have then both Amari and Zeke will have strong cases.
Dak Prescott comes in fifth with only 20% odds, which is reasonable given his career numbers and recent bout with injury. But if Dak picks up where he left off in 2020, on pace to smash the single-season record for passing yards, his case for Canton will become exponentially stronger.
Iyer lastly gives surprising nods to DeMarcus Lawrence and Leighton Vander Esch with just 10% and 5% odds each. I’m not sure where he was going with these, but I am sure they appreciated the mention.
Having not won a Super Bowl since 1995 the Dallas Cowboys may start seeing less inductions from their modern era players. The five championships won by those great teams of the 70s and 90s are what got many of those guys into the Hall of Fame, needing more than just personal achievement.
Will the 2021 Cowboys finally get this franchise back to championship contention? Our first good look at them comes this Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game; hopefully the beginning of a special season.
