Best draft picks in Indianapolis Colts history
Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Indianapolis Colts history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Cornelius Bennett (1987, Round 1, Pick 2)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 91
- Pro Bowls: 5
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 206
- Seasons as Starter: 14
#9. Larry Grantham (1960, Round 15, Pick 178)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 92
- Pro Bowls: 5
- First-Team All-Pro: 5
- Games Played: 175
- Seasons as Starter: 13
#8. Bobby Boyd (1960, Round 10, Pick 119)
- Position: DB
- Career wAV: 95
- Pro Bowls: 2
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 121
- Seasons as Starter: 9
#7. Ted Hendricks (1969, Round 2, Pick 33)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 112
- Pro Bowls: 8
- First-Team All-Pro: 4
- Games Played: 215
- Seasons as Starter: 14
#6. Edgerrin James (1999, Round 1, Pick 4)
- Position: RB
- Career wAV: 113
- Pro Bowls: 4
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 148
- Seasons as Starter: 9
#5. Reggie Wayne (2001, Round 1, Pick 30)
- Position: WR
- Career wAV: 116
- Pro Bowls: 6
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 211
- Seasons as Starter: 13
#4. Marvin Harrison (1996, Round 1, Pick 19)
- Position: WR
- Career wAV: 123
- Pro Bowls: 8
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 190
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#3. Marshall Faulk (1994, Round 1, Pick 2)
- Position: RB
- Career wAV: 132
- Pro Bowls: 7
- First-Team All-Pro: 3
- Games Played: 176
- Seasons as Starter: 11
#2. John Elway (1983, Round 1, Pick 1)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 140
- Pro Bowls: 9
- First-Team All-Pro: 0
- Games Played: 234
- Seasons as Starter: 16
#1. Peyton Manning (1998, Round 1, Pick 1)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 176
- Pro Bowls: 14
- First-Team All-Pro: 7
- Games Played: 266
- Seasons as Starter: 17
