Colts 2025 free agency predictions: Will WR Ashton Dulin return?
In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts' unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.
Up next, let's take a look at wide receiver Ashton Dulin. If you've missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.
Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
The 2024 season was Dulin's sixth with the Colts, and he saw his first action since the 2022 season after missing all of 2023 with an ACL injury.
Dulin saw some opportunities on offense, playing 182 snaps during the season. He had just two catches on eight targets for 67 yards, although one of those receptions went for 54 yards and a score.
Dulin did get some touches in the run game as well and is a very capable blocker at the receiver position.
However, where Dulin makes his greatest impact is on special teams. In total, Dulin played 295 special teams snaps and did so across five of the six different phases. Out of 200 eligible players, Dulin ranked 13th in PFF's special teams grade in 2024.
He provided some stability at the return position for much of the year, until rookie Anthony Gould's role expanded as he got more comfortable.
Dulin was then particularly good as a flier on the punt coverage unit, playing a key role in punter Rigoberto Sanchez ranking fourth in fair catches this past season.
It's also not a coincidence that when Dulin missed time with an injury, the Colts' punt coverage unit wasn't as good.
Ideally, AD Mitchell takes a big step forward in 2024 so the need to rely on Dulin as the fourth receiver doesn't exist all that much. But having said that, similar to Grant Stuard at linebacker, there is value in having the stability that Dulin can provide off the bench if Indianapolis is in a pinch.
Also, every team needs two or three core special teams players who are really good at that job, and that's Dulin–not to mention bringing him back isn't going to break the salary cap bank by any means.
'The one that we missed most was Ashton Dulin just because he did so much,' general manager Chris Ballard said last offseason about not having Dulin in 2023. 'He can play multiple spots. He does the dirty work. And then if you have to start him you can still play winning football. Losing Ashton during camp last year, that sucked.'
Prediction: Ashton Dulin is re-signed
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