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Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Fame watch
Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players from the 2023 Bills who could join the immortals in Canton someday.

Guaranteed Hall of Famer

Von Miller, OLB: The No. 2 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by Denver, Miller played 10 seasons for the Broncos, setting numerous franchise records, most notably sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles. In 2015, he practically delivered the franchise a championship single-handedly, winning Super Bowl 50 MVP honors, becoming the 10th defensive player to win the award.

When the 2021 season didn't unfold as Denver imagined, it did its star a favor and traded him to the Rams, allowing him to compete for another Super Bowl. Miller did exactly that as the Rams defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.  

After his successful stint with the Rams, Miller signed with Buffalo, aiming to become the first player to appear in and win three Super Bowls with three different teams. Miller got off to a hot start with the Bills, but his 2022 season was cut short by a torn ACL.

The 34-year-old hopes to be ready for Buffalo's opener, and if he returns to form, he'll be well-positioned to accomplish his goal of winning his third championship. Miller already ranks 19th all time in career sacks (123.5), and with a few more productive seasons, he could finish in the top 10. 

Fringe Hall of Famer

Stefon Diggs, WR: The odds are stacked against Diggs to make the Hall of Fame, as only seven fifth-round draft picks are enshrined in Canton (with 2023 inductee Zach Thomas soon to follow). Even so, if Diggs continues to produce at the level he has over the past three seasons, his name may be added to the list someday. 

Selected by the Vikings in 2015, Diggs spent his first five seasons in Minnesota before a trade to Buffalo for four draft picks, one of which eventually became Justin Jefferson. Clearly, the trade has worked out for both sides, but let's focus on Diggs, who has been instrumental in Buffalo's ascension up the NFL ladder.

In his first season with the Bills, Diggs set franchise records for yards receiving (1,535) and receptions (127), both of which led the league in their respective categories. As a result, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod and his lone first-team All-Pro selection.

Since being traded to Buffalo, Diggs ranks fourth among wideouts in receiving yards (4,189) and fifth in touchdowns (29), receiving Pro Bowl honors each season.

As impressive as Diggs' peak has been, he'll need to further strengthen his résumé with individual achievements and, ideally, a Super Bowl victory to be considered an all-time great.

Young player who could develop into a Hall of Famer

Josh Allen, QB: Deemed a project upon entering the league, the 27-year-old Wyoming product has proven he was worth the gamble Buffalo took when it traded up to select him seventh overall in 2018. The start of Allen's career stacks up well among all-time greats. He ranks third in passing touchdowns (138) and ninth in passing yards (18,397) through a quarterback's first five seasons. 

While Buffalo hasn't won a Super Bowl, Allen has guided the franchise to its longest streak of consecutive playoff appearances (four), and he has generally fared well in the postseason.

In eight career playoff games, Allen has thrown for 2,334 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. His 291.8 passing yards per game are the fifth most by a quarterback in postseason history who has made at least five starts. 

Although Allen led the NFL with 19 turnovers last season, it shouldn’t harm a potential Hall of Fame candidacy. However, he must prove that 2022 was just an outlier and that he'll eventually be the Super Bowl-winning quarterback Buffalo believes it has.

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