INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts could be well-represented in Canton next summer.
The Hall announced 167 modern era candidates for the class on Wednesday that included 16 players who became eligible this year.
Seven players who played all or most of their career in Indianapolis are on the list of nominees.
The list includes former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who has been a finalist for the Hall in each of his first five years of eligibility, and Robert Mathis, a three-time semifinalist.
Almost surely a lock for enshrinement, kicker Adam Vinatieri was nominated in his first year of eligibility for Canton. The all-time NFL leader in scoring with 2,673 points, Vinatieri was named first-team AP All-Pro three times in his 24-year career. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-2000s first team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
He won four Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XLI with the Colts.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne had 1,070 receptions for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns as a player from 2001 to 2014 — all for the Colts. He was inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor in 2018 and is currently a member of the Colts' coaching staff.
Mathis recorded a Colts-record 123 sacks, made five Pro Bowls and was named first-team AP All-Pro in 2013.
Joining that trio among this year's nominees are first-time nominee Antoine Bethea, Jeff Saturday, Bob Sanders and Pat McAfee.
Among the others nominated for the first time are two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs and two-time All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda.
A screening committee will reduce the list of nominees to 50 players next month. Then the full 50-person selection committee will cut the list down to 25 semifinalists and then 15 finalists for the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class. Players must get 80% of votes to get in with between three and five players getting in as modern era candidates.
There will also be three senior candidates, grouped with one coach and contributor with at least one and no more than three of those finalists getting in based on voting.
The other first-year candidates are offensive linemen Travis Frederick, Ryan Kalil and Joe Staley; running backs Darren Sproles and Marshawn Lynch; receiver Demaryius Thomas; tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker; and defensive backs Aqib Talib and Earl Thomas.
Including Wayne, there are 10 players back under consideration who were finalists a year ago with tight end Antonio Gates, receiver Torry Holt; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; defensive lineman Jared Allen; and running back Fred Taylor back on the list.
Former Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney was inducted into the Hall last year.