One Under-the-Radar Receiver NFL Fans Will KNOW After This Season

Heading into the 2022 season the Indianapolis Colts arguably boast a top ten roster and a solid coaching staff. Many NFL fans have high expectations for this team that’s finally “ready to compete.” However, there seems to be one glaring question mark heading into training camp. Who’s Matt Ryan going to throw to?? Colts Michael Pittman Jr. is the unquestioned receiver #1, but aside from him there is one major concern with this young receiving corps. Experience, or in this case, lack thereof.

Colts Projected Receiving Corps

With two weeks remaining until the start of training camp, the Colts are looking to choose around five or six receivers from 12 potential candidates. Pro Football Focus listed them as 25th best in their rankings ahead of the 2022 schedule. Indianapolis is high on the potential upside of all these young prospects. Although, there is a big emphasis on the word ‘young.’ Out of the 12 receivers the Colts are to choose from, the oldest is Keke Coutee at 25. Between those 11 men, omitting Pittman, they’ve played in a combined 108 NFL games. While that number may seem like a lot, when you divide it amongst 11 receivers, it isn’t. At all. In an attempt to compensate for this the Colts spent their first pick of the 2022 draft of Cincinnati standout Alec Pierce, but will he be ready to step into that #2 role?

Who is Ashton Dulin? And why should you care?

Anyone that’s been following Colts football knows that the number two receiver role is totally up for grabs. Some say it’s Parris Campbell’s to lose, but can he be trusted to stay healthy for a whole season? One could only hope that’s the case and he is able to return to his dominant Ohio State form, yet skepticism remains. Others argue that rookie Alec Pierce will step into the role and be able to immediately produce. After all, with a back like Jonathan Taylor, the receivers’ workload isn’t expected to be too substantial. However, if neither of them are able to deliver, who does the responsibility fall to?

Third year receiver Ashton Dulin is practically a lock for the 2022 roster. It won’t necessarily be because of his receiving ability, but his performance on special teams. In 2021 he was named as a Pro-Bowl alternate for the Colts, consistently performing in clutch situations. However, one play last year has the Colts wondering if he could potentially do more.

Carson Wentz takes a quick advantage of Jamel Dean out of the game and scores with a 62-yard touchdown. to Ashton Dulin.#Colts answer right back to the #Bucs score.pic.twitter.com/3VSXo0Fuwu

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 28, 2021

After beating Sean Murphy-Bunting and catching a 62-yard bomb from Wentz, Dulin walked right into the end zone to set the tone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Campbell can’t stay healthy, Pierce can’t immediately produce, and Dulin is able to consistently play at the impressive level displayed here, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be on everyone’s radar as a potential breakout candidate for 2022.

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