http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/story.jsp?story_id=3071 The 17 finalists are: Chris Carter (WR) Dermontti Dawson (C) Richard Dent (DE) Russ Grimm (G) Bob Hayes (WR) Claude Humphrey (DE) Cortez Kennedy DT) Randall McDaniel (G) John Randle (DT) Andre Reed (WR) Shannon Sharpe (TE) Bruce Smith (DE) Paul Tagliabue (Commish) Derreck Thomas (OLB) Ralph Wilson (Owner) Rod Woodson (CB/S) Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson should be absolute locks to get in, leaving up to 3 other players to get in. Randle McDaniel is probably the best guard to have ever played the game and it's a travesty of justice that he's not already in the HoF. 9 times all-pro and 12 times pro-bowler makes you a walk in 1st ballot HOFer in my book. Bob Hayes changed the way the game is played and deserves to get in on that basis, if not for his raw stats. Some people argue that there are too many Cowboys from the '70s already in the HOF, which may cut against Bob. From there I think you've got about 7 guys or so, including Kooch, who all have good cases to get into the HoF eventually. Of the player finalists I think Andre Reed, Shannon Sharpe and Richard Dent have the shakiest cases for getting in.
Shannon Sharpe is a lock for the HOF. Maybe not this year, but eventually (within the next 2-3 years, and maybe this year).