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The 5 best draft classes in Colts history

By Brandon Daniels

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos meet after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 39-33. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos meet after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 39-33. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback # 18 Peyton Manning calling signals during the Indianapolis Colts vs New York Jets game on October 1 , 2006 at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in east Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Jets 31-28. (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback # 18 Peyton Manning calling signals during the Indianapolis Colts vs New York Jets game on October 1 , 2006 at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in east Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Jets 31-28. (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

Number 5: 1998

Notable Players:

  • Peyton Manning
    • Position: Quarterback
    • Pick Selected: 1st Overall
    • Seasons Played: 1998-2015 (13 seasons with Indianapolis, 4 with Denver)
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 14 (11 with Indianapolis, 3 with Denver)
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 7 (5 with Indianapolis, 2 with Denver)
    • Super Bowl Wins: 2 (2006 with Indianapolis, 2015 with Denver)
      • 2006 Super Bowl MVP
    • Notable Awards: 5-Time AP MVP (4 with Indianapolis), 2-Time AP Offensive Player of the Year (1 with each)
  • Jerome Pathon
    • Position: Wide Receiver
    • Pick Selected: 64th (Round 2)
    • Seasons Played: 1998-2005 (4 seasons with Indianapolis, 3 with New Orleans, 1 with Atlanta)
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 0
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 0
    • Super Bowl Wins: 0
    • Notable Awards: 1998 All-Rookie Team Selection
  • Steve McKinney
    • Position: Center
    • Pick Selected: 94th (Round 4)
    • Seasons Played: 1998-2007 (4 seasons with Indianapolis, 6 with Houston)
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 0
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 0
    • Super Bowl Wins: 0
    • Notable Awards: 1998 All-Rookie Team Selection

When discussing the best draft classes in team history, it’s customary to name this class among the others. Peyton Manning is the poster child of this class; he would easily be a member of the Hall of Fame with his Colts career alone, but let’s not forget his 4 years in Denver, as well.

After returning from more than a year away from the game due to neck surgery, Manning earned the 2012 Comeback Player of the Year award, a 13-3 record, and a trip to the divisional round. He followed it up with a Super Bowl appearance in 2013 and a Super Bowl win in 2015. To put it all together, he’s a legend in two cities, one of the best QB’s to ever play the game, and a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

The reason why this class is only number 5 on this list is because of the strength outside of Manning. Out of the other 6 players drafted in this group, only two other players, 2nd Round WR Jerome Pathon and 4th Round C Steve McKinney, had any real playing time. Those two players were members of the year’s All-Rookie Team and played 4 seasons with the Colts before moving on to other teams. If the players outside of Manning would have performed better, this class would have been ranked higher.

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