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Projecting three future Hall of Famers for the Washington Commanders
London Fletcher. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Projecting three future Hall of Famers for the Washington Commanders

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2024 will officially be inducted on Aug. 3.

With less than a month until the annual event in Canton, Ohio, we're examining which NFL players (past and present) we think will one day receive a similar honor.  

Here are three Washington Commanders who should eventually receive football immortality: 

Linebacker London Fletcher

Fletcher already had 1,083 tackles and 27.5 sacks when he joined Washington as a 32-year-old linebacker in 2007. He’d add another 11.5 sacks and 956 tackles by starting all 112 games over the next seven years, finishing with 2,032 tackles, second only to Ray Lewis (2,059) for most in NFL history.

One of the NFL’s true iron men, Fletcher didn’t miss a start from 2001-2013 and made all four of his Pro Bowls with Washington. As a 34-year-old in 2011, he led the league with 166 tackles and never registered fewer than 111 tackles in seven seasons with the franchise.

Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan

A teammate of Fletcher from 2011-2013, Kerrigan had 454 total tackles, 95.5 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, 25 passes defended and three interceptions in 10 years with the team. He led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss in 2016 and passed Dexter Manley (91.5) to earn the franchise record for sacks in 2020.

Kerrigan also earned four Pro Bowl appearances with Washington, but unlike Fletcher, he’s not a member of Washington’s Ring of Fame. The projection is he’ll get there, but a spot in Canton is by no means guaranteed.

Running back Brian Mitchell

Currently, only three special teams players have a bust in Canton. Kickers Morten Anderson and Jan Stenerud are both Hall of Famers along with legendary punter Ray Guy. Next month they’ll be joined by Devin Hester, the first kick returner to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor. 

Mitchell should be next.

Mitchell may be the best all-around special teams player in NFL history. While Hester was considered a return specialist, Mitchell blocked and covered kicks as well. His 3,476 yards on punt returns and 9,586 on kick returns are still most in franchise history, and his 23,330 all-purpose yards are second-most in NFL history behind Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (23,546).

By comparison, Hester had just 14,455 all-purpose yards in his career, but his enshrinement could open the door for Mitchell. Unfortunately, the NFL has never held special teams in high regard, but with rules changes in place for 2024, people may grow to appreciate special teams play and finally give Mitchell the respect he deserves.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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