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Quan Bray, Erik Swoope Sign Colts Exclusive Rights Free Agent Tenders

By Luke Schultheis

Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) catches a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts won 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) catches a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts won 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that two of its players, wide receiver (special teams returnman) Quan Bray and tight end Erik Swoope, have signed their exclusive rights free agent tenders with the team respectively.

An exclusive rights free agent has no more than two accrued seasons in the league and can only sign with his prior team–assuming that the team has already extended a minimum qualifying offer to the player (which the Colts did to both players earlier this offseason).

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) runs the ball after a catch in the first half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) runs the ball after a catch in the first half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

It certainly helps both the Colts depth and special teams ability now that Swoope and Bray are officially back with the team–especially with Indianapolis’ offseason workout program beginning on Monday.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014 as a converted basketball standout from Miami (Fla.), Swoope appears to have successfully made the transition into a legitimate NFL caliber tight end.

The 6’5″, 257 pound tight end is coming off a breakout season in which he caught 15 receptions for 297 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in 16 games (4 starts)–showcasing his impressive speed and athleticism at the position.

With the Colts trading starter Dwayne Allen to the New England Patriots earlier this offseason, Swoope is currently in-line to become the team’s 2nd tight end behind primary tight end Jack Doyle.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Quan Bray (11) catches a punt against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Quan Bray (11) catches a punt against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

Otherwise, Bray will provide the Colts additional wide receiver depth lower on the depth chart. However, his real calling card is his ability as a special teams returnman.

The 5’10”, 186 pound returner appeared in 6 games for the Colts last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

However, prior to being placed on injured reserve, Bray was tied for 4th in the NFL in longest kick return average at 25.7 yards per kick return in 2016.

Next: Johnathan Hankins Gives Colts Best Interior D-Line Presence since ‘Booger’ McFarland

With backup running back and fellow special teams returnman Jordan Todman remaining unsigned by the Colts–who filled in for Bray as the team’s kickoff returnman, the latter projects to be Indianapolis’ primary special teams returnman once again.

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