ESPN Ranks Three Colts in their Top 100

According to ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts have three players in the NFL’s Top 100 in Andrew Luck (12th), T.Y. Hilton (44th), and Vontae Davis (71st).

Per ESPN’s evaluation, each player was given an overall rating of 1-100, with the higher the grade, the better the player. The grades were distributed based on the voting of a select panel as follows:

"“The panel: More than 70 voters. NFL analysts, reporters and statisticians — both from ESPN and outside ESPN — including former players and NFL front-office members.”"

Without further ado, here’s what ESPN’s panel had to say on this talented trio of Colts stars that made their Top 100:

"12. Andrew Luck | Colts | Rating: 92.32The exploits of another QB in his draft class tend to overshadow this fact: Luck took over a 1-15 team and has helped Indy churn out three consecutive 11-5 seasons. That’s no small feat, regardless of context, but the Colts have only two other players in our top 100. “This is who you start your franchise with if you can pick any player in the league for the next 10 years,” said one voter. All Luck did in his age-25 season was throw for 4,761 yards and 40 TDs. Next up: a lot of money.Add it up: Luck’s 12,957 career passing yards are the most for any player in his first three NFL seasons.44. T.Y. Hilton | Colts | Rating: 85.21There were 12 wide receivers selected before the diminutive Hilton in the 2012 NFL draft, and only one (Kendall Wright) has more catches than Hilton’s 212. The 5-foot-9 burner has 82 catches in each of his last two seasons, and even after drafting the speedy Phillip Dorsett to an already-deep group of pass-catchers in the first round of the 2015 draft — a move many assumed signaled Hilton’s next contract would be elsewhere — the Colts locked up Hilton to a five-year, $65 million deal in August.Add it up: Since 2012, Hilton has converted 46 percent of third-and-10-or-longer targets from Andrew Luck into first downs. That’s the best conversion rate among any QB-WR combination over that span.71. Vontae Davis | Colts | Rating: 81.70Indy paid a steep price to pry Davis from Miami in 2012, but he has proved to be worth it. He’s been one of the best cornerbacks in the league over the past three seasons, culminating in a Pro Bowl invite after 2014. “He’s a unique combination of a corner,” said one panelist, “because he can win in off-man coverage but also smother you at the line of scrimmage.”Add it up: Davis’ 12 pass breakups last year tied for fourth in the league."

Of course, ESPN’s Top 100 rankings were slightly less favorable than the NFL’s very own Top 100 rankings, where Luck was 7th, Hilton was 35th, and Davis 59th, in addition to Adam Vinatieri coming in at 98th on their full list.

Either way, it’s great to some Colts players get some well-earned recognition. These 3 players are not just the best players at their respective positions, but also among the top players in the league.

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