According to NFL Media Editor Jim Reineking, the Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck is already the 7th best QB taken No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft during the modern era:
"7. Andrew LuckDraft: 2012Team: Indianapolis ColtsThis is a conversative place for Luck, who has a chance to violently vault up these type of lists very quickly. Luck has taken the Colts to the postseason in each of his three NFL seasons. Last season, Luck led the league with 40 touchdown passes. Luck has the potential to be at or near the top of this list once his career is complete."
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
While this seems a bit low at first-glance, keep in mind that Luck has only played 3 seasons so far in the NFL, while he’s going up against former No. 1 picks at quarterback with a full body of work. The fact that he’s already this high speaks volumes to the caliber of quarterback he is, and it’s probably a safe assumption that he’ll be much higher on this list before it’s all said and done.
At 25 years old, Luck has already been a 3x Pro Bowler and is coming off a season in which he led the league with 40 touchdown passes. Not to mention, he essentially carried the Colts to the AFC Championship game last year, having led the Colts to the playoffs in all 3 of his NFL seasons.
In truth, he has all the makings of one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the position, but still has to play the games to actually get there.
It’s worth noting that former Colts great and legendary quarterback Peyton Manning came in at No. 2 overall behind the Denver Broncos John Elway:
"2. Peyton ManningDraft: 1998Team: Indianapolis ColtsManning already holds the NFL’s career touchdown passing record (530), and should break the career passing yardage record this season (he’s at 69,691 yards to Brett Favre’s 71,838 yards). Manning already holds the records for most passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) in a single season. While Manning has achieved statistical glory, victory in the NFL’s ultimate game has been elusive. While he’s taken his team to 14 postseason berths, Manning has just one Super Bowl win (Super Bowl XLI) in three appearances."
While I’d personally place Manning ahead of Elway because of his all-time passing records and essentially revolutionizing the quarterback position, it’s not my ranking. Elway was no doubt a great quarterback in his own right, but he only has one more Super Bowl championship than Manning if one’s simply going by the dreaded “rings count”.
Either way, the Colts clearly have some elite company at quarterback when it comes to former No. 1 picks. That much is for sure.
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