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.

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