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The Indianapolis Colts&#39; first-round draft picks history features a who&#39;s who of legendary players, successful role players, and a few busts. Some of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-football-players-ever" target="_blank">the best players in NFL history</a> like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Dwight Freeney started their careers as Colts draft picks. Busts included the likes of Jeff George and Cornelius Bennett, but the biggest mistake came when trading away John Elway after drafting him.

A couple of Super Bowl victories prove that the Colts have benefited from great draft picks,&nbsp;and the picks made in the first-round certainly have made the biggest impact.&nbsp;

So, who has been the top first-round draft pick in the history of the Colts? The stats below reflect only players&rsquo; time spent with Indianapolis and that&rsquo;s what you should consider when voting. How much did these players help the team that drafted them?

The Colts' Best First-Round NFL Draft Picks, Ranked By Fans

The Best Indianapolis Colts First-Round Picks In The NFL Draft

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Peyton Manning

Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. Considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time due to his numerous career achievements, he spent 14 seasons with the Colts and was a member of the Denver Broncos in his last four seasons. Manning played college football for the University of Tennessee, leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and older brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Manning was selected by the Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he improved the fortunes of the struggling Colts franchise and helped transform them into consistent playoff contenders. During his tenure as starting quarterback, Manning led the team to eight division championships, two AFC championships, and one Super Bowl title, the franchise's first in over three decades, as well as their first since relocating to Indianapolis.
After undergoing neck surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, Manning was released by the Colts and signed with the Broncos. Serving as the team's starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015, he contributed to the Broncos reaching the top of their division each year and his playing career concluded with a victory in Super Bowl 50.
Manning holds many NFL records, including touchdown passes (539), AP MVP awards (5), Pro Bowl appearances (14), 4,000-yard passing seasons (14), single-season passing yards (5,477 in 2013), single-season passing touchdowns (55 in 2013), tied for most First-Team All Pros for a quarterback with 7, and is second in career passing yards (71,940). A two-time Super Bowl winner and the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLI, Manning is also the only quarterback to start the Super Bowl for two franchises more than once each, with different coaches at each Super Bowl start (Dungy, Caldwell, Fox, Kubiak), and the only starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two franchises. At 39 years of age, Manning was the oldest quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl until Tom Brady surpassed him by winning a Super Bowl at 41.During a 2009 Monday Night Football game, Manning received the nickname "The Sheriff" from color commentator Jon Gruden due to his tendency to audible prior to the snap, and he was one of the most recognizable and parodied players in the NFL. Teams led by Manning typically used the hurry-up offense in place of the standard huddle.

Dallas Clark

Dallas Dean Clark (born June 12, 1979) is a former American football tight end who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Iowa, earned unanimous All-American honors, and was recognized as the top college tight end in the nation. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft and he was a member of their Super Bowl XLI championship team against the Chicago Bears. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens.

Duane Bickett

Duane Clair Bickett (born December 1, 1962) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Carolina Panthers.

Quenton Nelson 

Ryan Kelly

Ryan Patrick Kelly is an American football center for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was drafted by the Colts in first round (18th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. 
Kelly attended Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, where he was teammates with Jordan Hicks. As a junior in 2009, he was a first team all-conference and all-city selection on the offensive line. During his senior season, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the last game of his season against rival Lakota East, yet he still was named third-team Division I All-Ohio. Although selected, he was unable to play at the Under Armour All-America Game coming off of his knee injury.

Anthony Castonzo

Anthony Salvatore Castonzo (born August 9, 1988) is an American football offensive tackle with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). After a college career at Boston College, Castonzo was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with their first round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Indianapolis Colts' first-round draft picks history features a who's who of legendary players, successful role players, and a few busts. Some of the best ...