Three Hidden Colts Who Will Contribute in 2024

Daniel Scott, a former California safety, was taken in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by Indianapolis.

Scott’s collegiate special teams experience was impressive, with 661 snaps.

While he was on the older side for a rookie (24), he had five years of college experience.Unfortunately, an ACL tear prevented Scott from ever taking the field in 2023.Fast forward to 2024, and Scott gets a perfect opportunity to recover and showcase his abilities.

Scott has 207 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles across his five years in the Pac-12 conference.

Scott will most certainly contribute immediately on special teams, but he might also be a valuable depth piece in the secondary, mostly as a free safety. While he is unlikely to start or see a lot of snaps right away, he has the ability to play in particular defensive packages if defensive coordinator Gus Bradley sees him as a good match. He will also provide competition to a safety corps that requires it.

Evan Hull, a Northwestern running back, was also picked in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

Hull’s attraction stemmed from his incredible elusiveness and receiving talents out of backfield.

Hull had 417 carries for 1,922 yards (4.6 average) and 12 touchdowns during his college career in 2021 and 2022. Equally notable was his pass-catching ability, as he caught 88 passes (55 in 2022) for 810 yards and four touchdowns.

Hull was perhaps the top pass-catching running back in the 2023 draft class. He also accomplished all of this on a terrible Northwestern team, when he was practically the offense.

Hull had just one carry (1 yard) and one grab (6 yards) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. What followed was a torn meniscus early in the game, which destroyed his potentially successful rookie season.

Hull’s skills will be put to use in Shane Steichen’s offense alongside a quarterback like Richardson, particularly on check-down throws. Hull’s receiving skills complement Jonathan Taylor and have the potential to become him a legitimate playmaker.

Hull’s ceiling is higher than people believe or recall, and he’ll work hard during the offseason to demonstrate it on the field in 2024 season.

In 2024, Ashton Dulin will be beginning his sixth season in the NFL.

Dulin has mostly served as a downfield threat during his career. So far, he has 33 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns.

However, Dulin’s stature and quickness may help him contribute to Indianapolis’ offensive onslaught when called upon.While Dulin’s receiving stats haven’t been very impressive, he does have good special teams numbers.

He’s made 36 tackles (28 solo) and is a force for Indianapolis as a gunner while chasing down returners.

Dulin’s role as a special teamer will remain unchanged as long as he is healthy, but his position is receiver, and he is likely eager to contribute more in that capacity.

Hiring an offensive genius like Steichen and a passer like Richardson made Dulin’s 2023 interesting. Both factored together could’ve helped Dulin achieve career-best numbers as a wide receiver.

Unfortunately, he had a torn ACL during a pre-season joint workout with the Chicago Bears. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2023 season.

Dulin is often neglected when discussing receiving depth, and he has not been a consistent offensive contributor. He has also had various quarterbacks under center and, like many others on the Colts, requires consistency as a coach and passer.

Dulin will have a major opportunity in 2024 to demonstrate his ability to be a weapon in Steichen’s offensive.

He has the speed, frame, and strength to dominate with vertical throws. He’ll try to stay healthy and continue to be a leader on special teams, with the possibility of receiving more pass-catching opportunities.