Story by
Making An All-Colts Team of Last 20 Years
- Story by
- Making An All-Colts Team of Last 20 Years
(Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star)
Coming in at No. 3 on the Indianapolis Colts ' 12 Most Important Players of 2026 list is RB Jonathan Taylor .
Over the last 20 years, the Indianapolis Colts have gone from experiencing the highest of highs with a Super Bowl XLI victory to constantly chasing that feeling, currently in the midst of a five-year playoff drought.
Advertisement
No matter the era, the team has been home to countless high-end and elite players.
In a recent exercise, Pro Football Focus looked back over the last 20 years of their data to compile a roster for each NFL team. Below is what they cooked up for the Colts .
NOTE: "Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, and Tarik Glenn missed out after playing a combined four seasons in the PFF era in Indianapolis," per author Nathan Jahnke.
QUARTERBACK
Peyton Manning (2006-10)
The last 20 years will be defined by two different quarterback eras, followed by a hodgepodge of the Colts trying to find consistency.
Manning took the team to two Super Bowls, winning one, in this timeframe, while Luck's quickly burning tenure lacked the results Manning had.
Advertisement
"One notable omission was Andrew Luck ," Jahnke wrote. "While the gap between Manning and Luck was large, Luck still ranked 14th among all quarterbacks using this methodology. We looked at quarterbacks' top five seasons, and Luck played exactly five full seasons for Indianapolis. Among quarterbacks who did not earn a spot on their franchise's team, Luck ranked highest in this system."
RUNNING BACK
Jonathan Taylor (2020-Present)
James' time had just passed before players like Joseph Addai, Frank Gore , and Marlon Mack were ushered in. Taylor undisputedly takes the cake here, though. Taylor already ranks at or near the top in numerous Colts' franchise rushing categories. He became the team's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns last year, and is now just over 1,600 yards away from James' yardage record.
Advertisement
WIDE RECEIVER
Reggie Wayne (2006-14), T.Y. Hilton (2012-21), Michael Pittman Jr. (2020-25)
The start of this era signaled the transition from Harrison to Wayne as the top receiver, and then the torch was passed as Wayne groomed Hilton to be the next leader, who then passed it to Pittman. Wayne made it to two Super Bowls with the Colts, winning one. Hilton made four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2016, while Pittman established himself as one of the Colts' best receivers behind Harrison, Wayne, and Hilton before being traded away this offseason.
TIGHT END
Dallas Clark (2006-11), Jack Doyle (2013-21)
Advertisement
Clark and Doyle combined for three Pro Bowls during this time and had a similar impact on their respective teams. Clark was one of the defining tight ends of his era but was always overshadowed by players like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates . Doyle became a security blanket for a constantly rotating group of Colts quarterbacks.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Anthony Castonzo (2011-20), Braden Smith (2018-25)
This is an appropriate tandem, as they're two underappreciated tackles of their eras. Castonzo was never a Pro Bowler, but became a great example of the appreciation for never having to hear a blocker's name called. A true "set 'em and forget 'em" player. Smith's last few years in Indianapolis ran down due to injuries, but he was a stout pass protector and sometimes dominant run defender during his eight-year run.
Advertisement
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Quenton Nelson (2018-Present), Jeff Saturday (2006-11), Mark Glowinski (2018-21, 2024)
Nelson's on pace for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he's made the Pro Bowl every year of his career and been All-Pro every year but two. Saturday is also a franchise cornerstone and arguably the most notable offensive lineman of the team's most successful era. Glowinski as right guard is easy to miss, but makes a ton of sense, as he was "the other part" of the Colts' "RTDB" offensive line.
Robert Mathis (right) is greeted by fellow Colts great Dwight Freeney during Mathis Colts Ring of Honor ceremony Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The combination defensive lineman and linebacker was a key part of the defense that won the 2007 Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
EDGE DEFENDER
Dwight Freeney (2006-12), Robert Mathis (2006-16)
Advertisement
At the time, fans probably didn't realize that having a tandem like Freeney and Mathis was a setup that teams across the NFL would attempt to emulate for years to come. Having two elite pass rushers on opposite ends of the line makes it difficult for blockers to focus on just one and allows for someone to be consistently productive. Freeney is in the Hall of Fame now, while Mathis continues the pursuit as the franchise's all-time leader in sacks and the NFL's all-time leader in forced fumbles.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
DeForest Buckner (2020-Present), Grover Stewart (2017-Present)
The Colts are at the tail end of one of the most dominant D-tackle runs in their history, as Buckner and Stewart are consistently a duo that opponents have to plan for. Buckner has been named an All-Pro and to two Pro Bowls since joining the Colts, and Stewart is known as one of the top nose tackles in the NFL.
Advertisement
"Buckner and Stewart are two of the eight defensive tackles to play over 3,800 snaps with the same defense over the past six seasons," Jahnke wrote.
LINEBACKER
Shaquille Leonard (2018-23), Bobby Okereke (2019-22), Jerrell Freeman (2012-15)
Leonard got off to one of the most statistically prolific starts for a linebacker in NFL history, stuffing the stat sheet like no one had before. On top of that, his penchant for making game-changing plays in the fourth quarter was uncanny. Outside of Leonard, some may be surprised by Freeman and Okereke's inclusion, but they truly were two strong standouts who defended the run well but were even better in coverage.
Advertisement
CORNERBACK
Vontae Davis (2012-17), Kelvin Hayden (2006-10), Kenny Moore II (2017-25)
Cornerback has been a position that's lacked extended career pop throughout the franchise's history. They've had several good players, but their time with the Colts or in their prime was very short-lived. Davis is a strong choice, as he put together a half-dozen years of strong coverage and toughness in the run game. Moore ended his time with the Colts this offseason as the best slot defender in franchise history. Hayden had some good years and will forever be remembered for his pick-six against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
SAFETY
Bob Sanders (2006-10), Antoine Bethea (2006-13)
Advertisement
There is absolutely positively zero debate here. Sanders is someone that young safeties still emulate their game after. His return from injury for the 2006 playoffs sparked the Colts to their Super Bowl victory, and then he won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award the next year. Bethea had longevity as well and also policed the defensive backfield at a high level while also playing the run as well as some of the best safeties in the game. These two had to share an era with Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu , Sean Taylor, and Eric Weddle .
