The Indianapolis Colts have their fair share of solid draft picks over the last decade but who have been the true draft gems for the Colts during that time? How exactly is a draft gem defined?
For some, a draft gem could be a late-round pick who went on to do more than the average late-round draft selection. In other instances, a draft gem could be a player who simply outperformed their draft stock in a massive way.
So, with that out of the way, let's look at some of the biggest draft gems for the Colts over the past decade.
4. Shaq Leonard
With a second-round pick in 2018, the Colts drafted Shaquille Leonard out of South Carolina State, which isn't a school known for producing NFL talent. That right there made it a risky pick for the Colts, as who knew at the time if Leonard's production at South Carolina State would translate to the NFL.
Fortunately for Indy, it translated right away. Leonard finished his rookie season with a whopping 163 tackles and 7.0 sacks and was crowned the Defensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts while also earning All-Pro honors. He continued to be a menace for the Colts, making Pro Bowls in the next three seasons and earning All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2021.
While Leonard's time with the Colts came to an end in 2023, it's hard to argue how much of a success he was in Indianapolis. Being a second-round pick from a smaller school has earned him a spot on this list.