Dwight Freeney

To help build a championship-level defense to complement their already high-powered offense of the early 2000s, the Indianapolis Colts used their first-round pick (11th overall) in 2002 to choose defensive end Dwight Freeney.

Results came immediately.

With Freeney appearing in all 16 games, eight as a starter, the Colts improved their defense from 29th overall in the NFL in 2001 to eighth in 2002. Freeney led the resurgent defensive line with a rookie-record 13 sacks to go with 20 tackles for loss on his way to NFL All-Rookie Team honors and a second-place finish in voting for the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Freeney followed with three more seasons of double-digit sack totals, including a league-best 16 in 2004. That year he also was named first-team All-Pro for the first of three times and earned his second of seven Pro Bowl invitations.

A foot injury limited Freeney to nine games and 3.5 sacks in 2007, but he bounced back in 2008 with 10.5 sacks, and he added 23.5 sacks over the following two seasons.

For his career, Freeney totaled 125.5 sacks, 148 quarterback hits and 128 tackles for loss. He was credited with 47 forced fumbles, a figure that is tied for fourth on the NFL’s all-time list, and twice forced three fumbles in a game.

Freeney played 218 regular-season games over 16 NFL seasons, the first 11 with the Colts.

He appeared in 22 postseason contests, including three AFC Championship Games and two NFC Championship Games. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Colts and played in two other Super Bowls. In the postseason, he totaled 11 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Freeney attended Syracuse University. As a senior, he led the nation with 17.5 sacks and earned All-American accolades.