Anderson came agonizingly close last year with his top-seven finish, and this year’s shot comes with another ex-Bengal in the fray. Atkins offers a first-year resume as glittering in places as those offered by first-time eligibles and overwhelming favorites Fitzgerald and Brees.
Every defensive tackle but one who has gone to eight Pro Bowls like Atkins is in the Hall. The only one who isn’t is Aaron Donald, and he’ll go in when he’s eligible in 2029.
Donald, who should have been the MVP of the Rams’ Super Bowl win over the Bengals, is a big part of Atkins’ legacy. Zimmer agrees with the notion that Atkins’ dominance despite his size helped influence the Rams in taking the 6-1, 280-pound Donald with the 13th pick in the 2014 draft.
“I think he probably was, honestly,” Zimmer said. “He was a great player, too. But Geno proved a guy with his stature can be a great player in the NFL.
“He reminded me a lot of Aaron Donald. Because of their stature, and he had great strength, great quickness, and speed. We were real fortunate to have him when I was there…. There weren’t that many (short) guys back then. La’Roi Glover was a really good player. But Geno had a lot more power than those guys. We took Geno in the fourth round, and Donald’s measurables wouldn’t have taking him in the fourth round.”
Zimmer’s scouting report: “Geno had all the tools. Strength, speed, and quickness. He was smart. The only thing he didn’t have was height. Terrific pass rusher. He’d get guys moving side-to-side, then power up and power rush, and then get them off to the side. Great team guy as well. He was always a good person in the locker room. Always ready on the field. One of the best.”
Zimmer has to laugh about a moment from what he believes came from one of Atkins’ early spring camps. Probably 2012, when first-round pick Kevin Zeitler, who has since become an estimable long-time vet guard, first met him in drills.
“Zeitler didn’t touch him. Couldn’t touch him,” Zimmer said.
Atkins already has his hands on the Hall with a spot on its 2010s All-Decade team. The selection committee chose 55 players from a group who received at least one selection to a Pro Bowl, Associated Press All-Pro team, or Pro Football Writers Association all-conference team during those 10 seasons.