Jaguars legend Fred Taylor doesn’t crack HOF list of finalists despite strong resume

It seemed like Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor had a strong case to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class list of finalists but he didn’t make the cut. Although there will always be players worthy of enshrinement who won’t get in, Taylor’s omission from the list of finalists is rather puzzling.

Taylor and Ricky Watters were the only running backs on the list of semifinalists and neither one advanced to the next round. On the other hand, other positions are heavily represented. Three pass rushers popped up on the list: Damarcus Ware, Jarred Allen, and Dwight Freeney. Similarly, three wide receivers made the cut: Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson all were named finalists.

Holt spent one season in Jacksonville, so you could argue that the Jaguars will still have representation in the Hall. However, Holt was mostly known for his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams and their Greatest Show on Turf. Here’s the list of 15 finalists for the 2023 class.

Willie Anderson, OT

Jared Allen, DE

Dwight Freeney, DE

Ronde Barber, DE

Devin Hester – PR/KR

Torry Holt, WR

Albert Lewis, CB

Andre Johnson, WR

Darrelle Revis, CB

Zach Thomas, LB

Joe Thomas, LT

Reggie Wayne, WR

Demarcus Ware, LB

Darren Woodson, S

Patrick Willis, LB

Hall of Fame voters will get together before Super Bowl 59 and choose five inductees from the list of 15 finalists. These five inductees will be enshrined along with senior-committee candidates Don Coryell Chuc Howley, Joe Klecko, and Key Riley.

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor should eventually get into the Hall of Fame

Jaguars legend Tony Boselli got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 after years of waiting and it looked like Taylor was going to join him. After all, he and wide receiver Jimmy Smith are the only Jaguars with a realistic chance to get in. Following the announcement, Taylor got to social media to thank everyone for the support he’s received.

https://twitter.com/FredTaylorMade/status/1610832279428861955?s=20&t=XmeLTQJqIdJSQvZmk2eM3w

Again, Taylor’s resume stacks up favorably to other running backs of his era. Yet, he remains on the waiting list. The fact that there aren’t and probably won’t be any other running backs besides Adrian Peterson worthy of HOF consideration should help Taylor’s case in future years.

Ultimately, it feels like it’s a matter of time before Taylor gets it. But it would have been nice to see him be named a finalist for the 2023 class.