The colts were indeed a bad team at that point. Johnny U had just retired. That is why they had the first round draft pick - to help them re-build. That’s the way it works - unless you are above the rules. But Elway refused to play by the rules. Sorry, I will never be a fan of Elway.
Unitas left the Colts 10 years before Elway graduated Stanford. Elway said there is no way he would play for old man Irsay, and he would go play baseball before he ever did that. Smart move on his part.
I never liked Elway, but what rule did he break? He used baseball as a lever to maneuver who would draft him. If Alvin Bragg were the DA, he could not be convicted.