The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald to Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.

Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the smallest induction class in 20 years following offseason rule changes meant to make it harder to get inducted.

Four new NFL legends are headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Former defensive end Jared Allen, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, former cornerback Eric Allen and former San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates all got the call that they will be getting their gold jackets.