Predicting the 2019 Hall of Fame class

The 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class is set, with the likes of Randy Moss, Terrell Owens (at last), and Ray Lewis headlining a star-studded group.

Now, our attention moves to the 2019 class and which modern-era candidates could be making the trip to Canton, Ohio, next year.

Here's a prediction of who will be fitted for a gold jacket in 2019:

Locks

Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Tony Gonzalez

If you like game-changing defensive backs, the 2019 class will likely be for you, as Reed and Bailey are both in their first year of eligibility.

The former Baltimore Ravens safety was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, named an All-Pro five times, and was widely known as the most feared defensive player in the league for quarterbacks due to his unbelievable range, speed, and instincts. No safety has gotten into Canton on their first attempt since 1986, but Reed is all but certain to break that streak.

Meanwhile, Bailey was the quintessential shutdown cornerback, but one with a hell of an eye for the football. He was named to 12 Pro Bowls - more than any other cornerback in NFL history - and had 52 career interceptions. He spent his 15-year career with the Washington Redskins (five seasons) and Denver Broncos (10 seasons). Bailey has a small chance of falling victim to the logjam of Hall of Fame-worthy players, but he should make it in on his first go-around.

Lastly, the man who helped revolutionize the tight end position, Gonzalez, is also in his first year of eligibility. During a 17-season career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, he caught more passes than any player not named Jerry Rice. He's also sixth in all-time receiving yards and seventh in all-time touchdown catches, made 14 Pro Bowls, and was named to the first- or second-team All-Pro teams 10 times. In short, Gonzalez has a resume that would likely make half the Hall of Fame jealous, though he never won a ring. He's in.

This is their year

Alan Faneca, Isaac Bruce

The Hall of Fame has a serious logjam of offensive lineman after inducting none in the 2018 class, and that will have to change in 2019.

Fanceca fell short for the third straight time this year, but his resume is undeniably worthy of enshrinement. During his 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (he also spent two years with the New York Jets and one with the Arizona Cardinals to end his career), few would have argued his standing among the best guards in the league. He appeared in nine Pro Bowls, was named a first-team All-Pro six times, and made the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s. A number of offensive linemen could fill this spot, but Faneca has waited long enough.

With Moss and Owens soon to be draped in gold, Canton voters will be free to reward one of the other greatest receivers of that generation in Bruce. When he retired in 2009, Bruce's 15,208 receiving yards only trailed Rice. He was an integral member of one of the greatest offenses of all time - the St. Louis Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" - and made four Pro Bowls, including a three-year stretch from 1999-2001.

Other candidates: London Fletcher, Asante Samuel, John Lynch, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, Ty Law, Tony Boselli, Kevin Mawae, Brian Waters

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)