With the 2020 NFL Draft approaching, it seems fitting to recount the best draft selections in each franchise's history. While the Indianapolis Colts don't have a first-round pick this season, the team certainly has a history of finding future superstars early in the draft.
Over the years, the Colts drafted many players that went on to become Hall of Famers. However, not all of those players went down in history as Colts. For instance, both linebacker Ted Hendricks and running back Marshall Faulk spent five years with the team. However, Faulk enjoyed his unparalleled success with the St. Louis Rams, and Hendricks won three Super Bowls with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Several Hall of Famers the Colts drafted never played for the team at all: tackle Winston Hill, quarterback John Elway, and tackle Ron Mix.
Baltimore/Indianapolis also drafted several Hall of Fame-caliber players who did not crack the top five: Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne.
Lenny Moore is the only honorable mention selection from when the team played in Baltimore.
Every draft pick that appears on this list also appeared on the NFL 100 All-Time Team, along with Moore.
5. John Mackey, TE
In 1963, when the franchise still played in Baltimore, the Colts drafted Mackey with the 19th overall pick. The AFL's New York Jets also drafted Mackey that year, but he suited up for Baltimore instead.
As a member of the Colts, Mackey amassed 320 receptions, 5,236 yards, and 38 touchdowns. His receiving totals still rank in the top ten in franchise history. Mackey went to five Pro Bowls and earned First-Team All-Pro honors three times. He also made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-1960s team, contributed to winning Super Bowl V, and also won an NFL championship.
Many experts, including Hall of Fame contributor Gil Brandt, view Mackey as a top five tight end of all-time. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
4. Raymond Berry, WR
Baltimore took Berry in the 20th round of the 1954 draft with the 232nd overall pick.
In 1957, Berry led the league in receiving yards for the first time. He repeated the feat in 1959 and 1960, when he averaged 108.2 receiving yards per game. That would equal 1,731 yards in a modern 16-game season.
Berry also led the NFL in receptions in three consecutive seasons and in receiving touchdowns twice. After 13 seasons with the Colts, Berry retired with 631 receptions, 9,275 yards, and 68 touchdowns. Those totals all still rank third in franchise history.
During his career, Berry went to six Pro Bowls and earned First-Team All-Pro honors three times. He also won two NFL Championships and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-1950s team. Berry entered the Hall of Fame in 1973.
3. Marvin Harrison, WR
Indianapolis selected Harrison with the 19th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.
Beginning in 1998 as Peyton Manning's top target, Harrison recorded at least 1,100 yards and ten touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons. He made the Pro Bowl all eight years and earned First-Team All-Pro honors three times.
In the four years from 1999 to 2002, Harrison produced 469 receptions, 6,322 yards, and 52 touchdowns.
Harrison's final Pro Bowl season came in 2006, when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. He later made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 1st Team All-2000s team and entered the Hall of Fame in 2016. His 1,102 receptions, 14,580 receiving yards, and 128 receiving touchdowns remain Colts franchise records.
2. Jim Parker, OL
In 1957, Baltimore used the eighth overall pick on the consensus All-American. Parker, who finished eighth in the Heisman voting in 1956, made an immediate impact on the Colts.
Parker started all 12 of Baltimore's games in his rookie season. He then made the Pro Bowl and earned First-Team All-Pro honors eight straight years. He also won NFL championships in 1958 and 1959.
Gil Brandt acknowledged him as the greatest tackle of all-time. He retired following the 1967 season.
The dominant offensive lineman made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-1950s team and later appeared on the NFL 100 All-Time Team. Parker entered the Hall of Fame in 1973.
1. Peyton Manning, QB
In 1998, the Colts drafted one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time with the 1st overall pick. Manning made 208 consecutive regular season starts with Indianapolis before missing 2011 and signing with the Denver Broncos in 2012.
During his 13 seasons at the helm of Indy's offense, Manning amassed franchise records with 4,682 completions, 54,828 yards, 399 touchdowns, and 141 wins. He also led the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI.
Manning went to 11 Pro Bowls and earned First-Team All-Pro honors five times with Indianapolis. He also claimed four league MVPs and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2nd Team All-2000s team.
The Sheriff retired following the 2015 season and awaits his call from Canton.
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