Josh Downs is currently Indy’s go-to wide receiver and projects to hog targets early in the season. With Alec Pierce working with the medical staff instead of training, Downs is earning outside snaps after he commanded a 23.6-percent Target Rate last season.
While Downs is teed up to be a target monster in 2026, Moore also reported that Pierce “is expected to receive close to double the number of targets than a season ago, when he received a career-high 84.” However, Pierce earned a mere 18.0-percent Target Share and an 18.3-percent Target Rate last season and is actively recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
Moore’s target share prediction math does not add up. The facts on the ground suggest Downs will be the Colts’ target leader, and Indianapolis management is practicing cognitive dissonance after signing an injured Pierce to a $114 contract. Savvy fantasy managers will be drafting Downs with confidence in best ball, dynasty and seasonal leagues while taking a wait-and-see approach on Pierce in fantasy football.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin has "never ...
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin has seen the ...
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (chest) won't...
The departure of Michael Pittman vacates 111 targets and a 21.0-percent Target Share (No. 42) from the Indianapolis passing game. This leaves massive opportunity for Alec Pierce, who is coming off a massive 1,593 Air Yards (No. 3) season but is in danger of starting the season on the PUP. Beyond Pierce and the slot-bound Josh Downs, who posted a modest 8.5 Fantasy Points Per Game (No. 51), Ashton Dulin is next in line for targets from the Colts shallow wide receiver room.
Ashton Dulin just needs to hold off Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Laquon Treadwell to potentially open the season as the starter in 2-receiver sets(!), depending on Pierce’s ankle surgery recovery timeline. Dulin is a sneaky add in the deepest dynasty and best ball fantasy football formats.
Alec Pierce secured a four-year, $114 million contract extension after recording a 51.8-percent Air Yards Share and averaging 21.3 Yards Per Reception last season. Now he faces a tight 4-6 month recovery timetable following ankle surgery per Mike Chappell. This timeline puts Pierce’s availability for the start of the season very much in jeopardy.
While Indy’s deep threat rehabs, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren are executing reps on the field to command early chemistry in this passing game. Pierce is now set up for a slow start to the season and will be a polarizing buy-low candidate as the season goes along.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and rookie Deion Burks are currently Ashton Dulin’s primary internal competitors for a key No. 3 receiver role. The Colts could still bolster the unit by signing veteran free agents like Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, or Stefon Diggs.
Dulin has been efficient when called up and offers the most fantasy upside among the current group due to his elite athletic profile and big-play history. Dynasty truthers will be eager to re-add Dulin for another camp and preseason run.
Ashton Dulin is one of the best special teamers in the league, particularly at Gunner. In the few games that Dulin missed last season, the team saw a significant decline in punt return coverage. This contract represents GM Chris Ballard’s admiration for Dulins contribution on special teams and also a nice piece of offensive depth, if needed. Not bad money for an undrafted free agent.
Dulin has all the athleticism you could ask from a wide receiver, a 94th percentile speed score and 71st percentile burst at 6’1″ and 215 lbs. He just hasn’t been able to put it all together on offense. Dulin has never averaged more than 3.9 fantasy points per season — with the amount of talent the Colts have at WR and the uncertainty in the passing element of their QB room, its unlikely for Dulin to contribute this year even in the deepest fantasy leagues.
Author: Lukasz Stec (@Lukasz_FF01)
Ashton Dulin is one of the most reliable special teams players set to hit the free agent market in 2025. Now the 28-year-old career Colt will remain in Indianapolis through the 2026 season.
Ashton Dulin’s role in the Indianapolis offense has never been one that produced fantasy relevance. His role has been contributing on special teams and as a run blocker. Dulin earned All-Pro honors in 2021 after recording 17 tackles on special teams. His highlight of the 2024 season was a 54-yard score in the season opener vs the Houston Texans. He would finish 2024 with two catches for 67 yards.
Dulin has the size and speed (6’2 215, 4.43 40) to contribute as a fantasy asset, but appears to have a mainstay role in the Indianapolis Colts organization as a career “teams” (special teams) guy. He remains off the radar in all fantasy formats.
Author: Justin Currie (@Chev90)
