The Indianapolis Colts are keeping wide receiver Ashton Dulin for another two years, retaining a free agent who has been a key player on special teams.
Dulin signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2019, and battled his way onto the Colts' active roster. He had a standout year in 2021, when he was named to the Associated Press Second Team All-Pro and was poised to have another good year in 2022, but suffered back-to-back injuries that year and in 2023, which was a huge blow to the team. He came back in 2024, where he's seen time as a run blocker, but has particularly stood out on special teams.
According to Jeremy Fowler, the Colts decided to keep him around, making him the second free agent the Colts have elected to re-sign.
"Receiver Ashton Dulin back to the #Colts for two years and up to $8.5M, per source."Jeremy Fowler
Dulin was a huge asset on special teams for the Colts in 2024, ranking 13th out of 200 in PFF's special teams grade in 2024. He had 295 snaps on special teams (compared to 184 on offense), which was 71 percent of the team’s special teams plays, in 2024. He has appeared in over half of the Colts' special teams snaps in every season throughout his career.
Altogether, Dulin has 35 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2019. He is a reliable player that gives depth to the offense, as well as great contributor on special teams. He is one of the more underrated players on the Colts' roster, but he is valuable all the same, and keeping him around for another two years was a good call by general manager Chris Ballard.
As Ballard himself pointed out last year, having to play without him definitely hurts the team.
"The one that we missed most was Ashton Dulin just because he did so much," he said. "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."