When striving to construct a dominant NFL franchise, general managers really need to hit on three key positions: starting quarterback, left tackle, and the vaunted leader of the pass rush. Polian drafted the key cog in the Colts defense in the 2000s by selection Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney at No. 11 in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Freeney is still active in the NFL, but put together far and away his best years of his certain Hall of Fame career playing for the Colts from 2002 to 2012. In Indianapolis, Freeney went to seven Pro Bowls (2003-05, 2008-11), was a three-time All-Pro first teamer (2004-05, 2009), led the NFL in sacks in 2004, and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Through the 2015 NFL season, Freeney has 319 career tackles, including 120.5 quarterback sacks, and an astonishing 47 forced fumbles. One could easily argue that Freeney in his prime was the best pass rushing force in the AFC during the 2000s, as he is proudly a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team.
Seven times did Freeney have more than 10 sacks in a season, all with the Colts. Whenever the former unanimous collegiate All-American decides to hang up the spikes, he not only will have his name as a part of the Colts Ring of Honor, but should enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the game’s greatest pass rushers. In his prime, coming off the edge, Freeney’s explosiveness and speed were undeniable.
Next: 4. WR Reggie Wayne, 2001, No. 30 overall