Who Should Make Colts' Ring of Honor Next After Adam Vinatieri?

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Wednesday that legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in Week 6 this season.

As one of the last obvious options left who needed to be inducted, the question now is: which players should be next to be inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor?

Quarterback Andrew Luck (2012-18) was drafted No. 1 overall by the Colts in 2012, replacing the legendary Peyton Manning. Luck took a 2-14 squad and dragged them to three consecutive playoff berths. On the field, Luck was everything the Colts hoped he'd be and more, but injuries took their toll and ultimately led to his early retirement during the 2019 preseason.

The Colts have had some legendary wide receivers, and beyond Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Raymond Berry, TY Hilton (2012-21) is the next-best receiver. "The Ghost" took the reins from Wayne and became one of the NFL's most dangerous receivers, making four Pro Bowls and leading the league in receiving yards in 2016.

Dallas Clark was the defining tight end of the Manning era, but Jack Doyle (2013-21) quietly carried the torch for years afterward. Doyle was a terrific blocker and reliable chain mover, making two Pro Bowls along the way.

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People talk about some of the more notable linebackers in recent Colts history, such as Shaquille Leonard, Gary Brackett, Marcus Washington, and Marcus Peterson, but Jeff Herrod (1988-96, 1998) came before all of them and was the one whose records they all sought to break. While official tackle stats are fluid, Herrod is considered to be the team's all-time leader in that category.

Arguably, no linebacker in NFL history got off to the statistical beginning of their career that Darius "Shaquille" Leonard (2018-23) did. In his first four years in the league, Leonard made All-Pro each year (three First-Team) and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He was setting himself up for a Hall-of-Fame career before injuries began to take their toll. Leonard was never the same after back surgery in the 2022 offseason.

Punter Pat McAfee (2009-16) was as much of a star as a punter could be while with the Colts, but it's what he's done with himself after retiring that really makes him stand out. McAfee has become a media icon through his Pat McAfee Show, his work in the WWE, and his work on ESPN College GameDay. There's arguably no bigger celebrity in the Indianapolis area.

Safety Bob Sanders (2004-10) was one of the most beloved players of his era, and there are still safeties entering the league who draw inspiration from Sanders' playing days. Injuries make Sanders one of the Colts' biggest all-time "what ifs?" but he was able to play enough to lead the Colts to a win in Super Bowl XLI, be named a Pro Bowler twice and First-Team All-Pro, and win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2007.