NFL Draft: 25 best first overall picks of all-time
By Gabe Encinas
In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts had the choice of selecting between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Colts with Peyton Manning, the four-year starter out of Knoxville, Tennessee. During that span, Manning won 39 of 45 games, breaking the SEC record for career wins, as well as becoming Tennessee’s all-time leading passer in yards and touchdowns.
His success in college translated well into the NFL, turning out to be one of the best draft decisions in NFL history. While Ryan Leaf’s career ending after just 21 starts in the span of four seasons, Manning was just getting started in the record books.
Manning ended up playing 17 seasons in the NFL, which ultimately resulted in 14 Pro Bowl selections, five AP MVP selections, four AFC Championships and two Super Bowl titles, the first with the Colts and his second with the Denver Broncos. While he had some great receivers surrounding him at both Indianapolis and Denver, he made everyone around him great.
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His meticulous dedication to the game and film room made him a field general. Picking out defenses, rerouting plays and calling audibles, Manning knew exactly what to do to succeed. There will always be the argument about who the greatest quarterback of all time is, but you can’t have the conversation without mentioning Peyton Manning’s name.