Ranking Colts last 10 first-round draft picks

2. Ryan Kelly (Drafted 18th overall in 2016 NFL Draft)

The Colts were doing their part to give Andrew Luck a talented offensive line before he hung up the cleats, drafting Ryan Kelly in the first round in 2016. Kelly is still starting for the Colts eight years later and has always been graded highly by PFF.

In 2023, Kelly received a PFF grade of 77.2 in 882 snaps at center. Kelly allowed just one sack and was flagged only three times during the 2023 season, his eighth year in the NFL. He hasn't been named All-Pro in his career but he's made it to four Pro Bowls with the 2023 season being his most recent Pro Bowl nod.

A lot of teams swing and miss on offensive linemen in the first round of the draft but Ryan Kelly has been anything but a swing and a miss.

1. Quenton Nelson (Drafted 6th overall in 2018 NFL Draft)

The best draft pick for the Colts over their last 10 first-round picks has easily been Quenton Nelson. The Colts used the sixth overall pick on the Notre Dame guard and he's been one of the best guards in the NFL since entering the league in 2018.

Nelson has been All-Pro three times and made six Pro Bowls, meaning he's been a Pro Bowler every year of his career. The Colts benefitted from so many teams fighting over quarterbacks in 2018, as it left Nelson there for the taking at sixth overall.

Finding a legitimate starting offensive lineman is no easy feat but Nelson has been a mainstay at left guard for the Colts since they took him in the first round. In 2023, he had a PFF grade of 70.8 and allowed just one sack in 1,141 snaps. I'd say he's been well worth the first-round pick.