It's no secret that Matt James was announced as the first Black Bachelor, something that surely should've happened within the past twenty years of the show being on the air.
With the large catalog of male contestants to choose from past seasons of The Bachelorette, it's a wonder why men like Colton Underwood, who seem very similar, have been picked as season leads. There are plenty of other options, including men with various occupations and ages, who are looking for love and might bring something different to the table and aren't strictly labeled as "ex-sports players."
Peter Kraus
On Rachel Lindsay's season of The Bachelorette, the final rose came down to her now-husband Bryan Abasolo and gym owner Peter Kraus.
Peter and Rachel ultimately weren't compatible and weren't looking for the same things when it came to the future, but viewers were still rooting for him week after week. Peter checks all the boxes of a potential Bachelor leading man: handsome, an entrepreneur, and a little bit afraid of long-term commitment -- that is, only until the right girl comes along.
Dustin Kendrick
Real estate broker and Peter Weber's roommate, Dustin Kendrick was eliminated during Week 6 of Season 15 of The Bachelorette despite fans being smitten with him and his nose ring.
Unfortunately, Dustin lacked screen time due to villain Luke Parker's domination of it, but his cuteness and friendship with the other men didn't go unnoticed. If Dustin ever competed on the franchise again, it should be as The Bachelor, something he could get pointers on from his best friend Peter.
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was among the 30 men competing for Hannah Brown's heart, and while he didn't come out on top, he was beloved by Bachelor Nation for his chaotic good energy and legendary name.
John was romantically involved with Tayshia Adams on Bachelor in Paradise's sixth season before she became the lead of her own season. It's only fair that John Paul Jones gets his shot next, and who could possibly resist his blonde mane and sparkling blue eyes?
Connor Saeli
Sweet Michigan native Connor Saeli is best known for the sticky notes he left for Hannah Brown on her bedridden one-on-one date on Season 15.
Connor went on to participate in the sixth season of Bachelor in Paradise, where he had a short romance with Caelynn Miller-Keyes before she decided to leave with Dean Unglert. Connor has yet to find his happily ever after, but if the sticky notes were any indication of how devoted and caring he can be, he definitely is worthy of his own Bachelor season.
Mike Johnson
Fans desperately campaigned for Mike Johnson to be named the 24th Bachelor following his elimination from Hannah Brown's season of The Bachelorette. However, they were left heartbroken when it was announced that Peter Weber had won the title.
Demi Lovato allegedly slid into his dm's following his appearance on the show. It's never too late for showrunners to give him a shot, something Demi and fans alike would surely enjoy.
Riley Christian
Riley Christian vied for Clare Crawley's heart -- and then Tayshia Adam's -- on Season 16 of The Bachelorette. The 30-year-old attorney was quickly adored by fans of the show for his calming and nurturing presence and general iration for the show's leading ladies.
His personal conversation with Tayshia about changing his name after learning more about his father was heart-wrenching and inspiring. Riley made it to Week 9, but the more screen time he received the more evident it was that he could easily headline his own season of the show.
Ivan Hall
Engineer Ivan Hall came in third place on Season 16, being eliminated during Fantasy Suites week despite being adored by viewers.
Ivan and Tayshia had a conversation during a one-on-one about being biracial children, and the effect that the events of 2020 had on them. The Bachelor isn't one to usually air discourse relating to world news, but the discussion was much needed and valued, further proving that the franchise needs to diversify its casting, and casting the sweet 28-year-old Ivan as a lead would be a fantastic place to start.
Ben Smith
Army veteran Ben Smith captured the heart of Tayshia Adams, but also the hearts of viewers as they watched him grow into an emotionally vulnerable individual during his Bachelorette journey.
While on the show, Ben openly discussed the PTSD he endured after returning from war and shared his struggles with an eating disorder. He also revealed how it was hard for him, like many men, to show his emotions due to society's "be a man" attitude toward emotional men. Ben didn't get the final rose, but he deserves his shot at giving one out as The Bachelor.
Joe Park
Anesthesiologist Joe Park didn't get a lot of one-on-one time with either leads of Season 16, but he did make a good impression on Twitter and Reddit, who campaigned for him to lead his own season or at the very least be en route to Paradise.
Doctor Joe's soft-spoken nature and cheerful attitude made him a fan favorite and led to lots of disappointment when he was eliminated by Tayshia during Week 6. Joe could also make history as The Bachelor's first Asian lead, something that is a long time coming after so many seasons of white Bachelors.
Brendan Morais
It seemed like 30-year-old Brendan Morais was the only real competition against the final rose recipient and now fiancé of the reigning Bachelorette, Tayshia Adams. It wasn't until Fantasy Suite Week that Brendan realized he wasn't ready to commit to a forever with Tayshia, and self-eliminated shortly thereafter.
Brendan is still more deserving of a chance at love, and his goofy personality and boyish charm would make him a fantastic lead. Brendan needs someone who is patient and looking for the same things as he is, and the Bachelor Mansion is a great place to start his search.