The conventional wisdom heading into the 2002 NFL draft was Dwight Freeney was too small to play defensive end or hold up against the run.
Critics also contended his trademark spin move would hit a wall against the league's bigger, stronger offensive linemen.
Former Colts general manager Bill Polian and former coach Tony Dungy saw something completely different on tape — a pre-eminent pass rusher who would be a perfect fit in Dungy's patented Tampa 2 defense.
Freeney didn't disappoint. He took full advantage of his speed, his innovative moves and used the motivation of proving those doubters wrong all the way to a 16-year Hall of Fame career.