How have the Indianapolis Colts fared with their first-round picks in the NFL Draft? For the Colts, more than most first-round picks have changed the trajectory of the franchise itself. Some teams aren’t as dependent on Round 1 capital, but the Colts’ success can be partially traced back to its most prestigious additions.
Indianapolis Colts First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
Across the franchise’s full history since 1953, the Colts have selected eight Hall of Fame players with first-round picks. Most recently, Peyton Manning was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, and Edgerrin James was inducted in 2020. In fact, four of Indianapolis’ seven Round 1 selections from 1994 to 1999 eventually made the Hall of Fame.
There is one asterisk to make note of in the Colts’ Hall of Fame history throughout Round 1. John Elway, whom the Colts selected with the No. 1 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, never played for the franchise. Elway refused to play for the team upon being selected and was soon traded to the Denver Broncos, where he became an MVP and Super Bowl champion.
2024
- Laiatu Latu | Pick 15
EDGE, UCLA
2023
- Anthony Richardson | Pick 4
QB, Florida
2022
The Colts traded the 16th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.
2021
- Kwity Paye | Pick 21
DL, Michigan
2020
The Colts traded the 13th pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
2019
The Colts traded the 26th pick to the Washington Commanders.
2018
- Quenton Nelson | Pick 6
G, Notre Dame
2017
- Malik Hooker | Pick 15
S, Ohio State
2016
- Ryan Kelly | Pick 18
C, Alabama
2015
- Phillip Dorsett | Pick 29
WR, Miami (FL)
2014
The Colts traded the 26th pick to the Cleveland Browns.
2013
- Bjoern Werner | Pick 24
DE, Florida State
2012
- Andrew Luck | Pick 1
QB, Stanford
2011
- Anthony Castonzo | Pick 22
T, Boston College
2010
- Jerry Hughes | Pick 31
DE, TCU
2009
- Donald Brown | Pick 27
RB, Connecticut
2008
The Colts traded the 29th pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
2007
- Anthony Gonzalez | Pick 32
WR, Ohio State
2006
- Joseph Addai | Pick 30
RB, LSU
2005
- Marlin Jackson | Pick 29
DB, Michigan
2004
The Colts traded the 29th pick to the Atlanta Falcons.
2003
- Dallas Clark | Pick 24
TE, Iowa
2002
- Dwight Freeney | Pick 11
DE, Syracuse
2001
- Reggie Wayne | Pick 30
WR, Miami (FL)
2000
- Rob Morris | Pick 28
LB, BYU
1999
- Edgerrin James* | Pick 4
RB, Miami (FL)
1998
- Peyton Manning* | Pick 1
QB, Tennessee
1997
- Tarik Glenn | Pick 19
T, California
1996
- Marvin Harrison* | Pick 19
WR, Syracuse
1995
- Ellis Johnson | Pick 15
DT, Florida
1994
- Marshall Faulk* | Pick 2
RB, San Diego State - Trev Alberts | Pick 5
LB, Nebraska
1993
- Sean Dawkins | Pick 16
WR, California
1992
- Steve Emtman | Pick 1
DE, Washington - Quentin Coryatt | Pick 2
LB, Texas A&M
1991
The Colts traded the 13th pick to the Atlanta Falcons.
1990
- Jeff George | Pick 1
QB, Illinois
1989
- Andre Rison | Pick 22
WR, Michigan State
1988
The Colts traded the 20th pick to the Los Angeles Rams.
1987
- Cornelius Bennett | Pick 2
LB, Alabama
1986
- Jon Hand | Pick 4
DE, Alabama
1985
- Duane Bickett | Pick 5
LB, USC
1984
- Leonard Coleman | Pick 8
DB, Vanderbilt - Ron Solt | Pick 19
G, Maryland
1983
- John Elway* | Pick 1
QB, Stanford
1982
- Johnie Cooks | Pick 2
LB, Mississippi State - Art Schlichter | Pick 4
QB, Ohio State
1981
- Randy McMillan | Pick 12
RB, Pittsburgh - Donnell Thompson | Pick 18
DE, North Carolina
1980
- Curtis Dickey | Pick 5
RB, Texas A&M - Derrick Hatchett | Pick 24
DB, Texas
1979
- Barry Krauss | Pick 6
LB, Alabama
1978
- Reese McCall | Pick 25
TE, Auburn
1977
- Randy Burke | Pick 26
WR, Kentucky
1976
- Ken Novak | Pick 20
DT, Purdue
1975
- Ken Huff | Pick 3
G, North Carolina
1974
- John Dutton | Pick 5
DT, Nebraska - Roger Carr | Pick 24
WR, Louisiana Tech
1973
- Bert Jones | Pick 2
QB, LSU - Joe Ehrmann | Pick 10
DT, Syracuse
1972
- Tom Drougas | Pick 22
T, Oregon
1971
- Don McCauley | Pick 22
RB, North Carolina - Lenny Dunlap | Pick 26
DB, North Texas
1970
- Norm Bulaich | Pick 18
RB, TCU
1969
- Eddie Hinton | Pick 25
WR, Oklahoma
1968
- John Williams | Pick 23
T, Minnesota
1967
- Bubba Smith | Pick 1
DE, Michigan State - Jim Detwiler | Pick 20
HB, Michigan
1966
- Sam Ball | Pick 15
T, Kentucky
1965
- Mike Curtis | Pick 14
LB, Duke
1964
- Marv Woodson | Pick 8
DB, Indiana
1963
- Bob Vogel | Pick 5
T, Ohio State
1962
- Wendell Harris | Pick 9
DB, LSU
1961
- Tom Matte | Pick 7
RB, Ohio State
1960
- Ron Mix* | Pick 10
T, USC
1959
- Jackie Burkett | Pick 12
LB, Auburn
1958
- Lenny Lyles | Pick 11
DB, Louisville
1957
- Jim Parker* | Pick 8
T, Ohio State
1956
- Lenny Moore* | Pick 9
HB, Penn State
1955
- George Shaw | Pick 1
QB, Oregon - Alan Ameche | Pick 3
FB, Wisconsin
1954
- Cotton Davidson | Pick 5
QB, Baylor
1953
- Billy Vessels | Pick 2
HB, Oklahoma
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame