2019 NFL Draft Prospect – Ashton Dulin, WR Malone

One of the more interesting small school prospects in this year’s draft class is none other than Ashton Dulin, WR Division II Malone University. The track star turned wide receiver is generating some mid to late-round buzz around NFL circles after a solid four years of production and very impressive testing measurables displayed at the NFL Scouting Combine. Even though he played for a team who won four games in his four years, he flashed enough big-play ability that he should be on dynasty owners’ radar as well.

The Stats

At first glance these numbers don’t jump off the screen. However, they only paint a small part of this prospect’s picture. Dulin’s final season was literally the final season for the Pioneer football program before the university decided to disband the program amongst financial woes. To put it kindly, the Malone Pioneers were not a good football team.  In the past four seasons they won a grand total of four games. A phrase that is so often tossed around when discussing talented productive players, but so accurately reflects his level of importance to that team, he was the man on that roster. Everything offensively went through Dulin. In 2018, he saw 109 targets, catching 56% of those passes. He accounted for 35% of his teams’ receptions and 41% of his teams’ receiving yards. To add to his impressive offensive resume, Dulin was a dominating kick returner. He compiled over 800 yards, while averaging 29.9 yards per return and three touchdowns as a senior. Dulin finished his senior campaign averaging 194.7 yards per game, which led the entire NCAA.

This chart reflects players who according to the April DLF Rookie ADP data, are being drafted late in rookie drafts, but before Dulin, Again, he played against inferior competition compared to any one of the players listed in the chart. Even so, it is hard to ignore his production and the age in which he was able to do it. Dulin did what he needed to do versus the competition he faced, he dominated and those stats cannot be ignored. If you are going to throw darts towards the end of a rookie draft, or on the first run of waivers, why not take a chance on a player like Dulin who’s talent profile and production screams he can play.

The Film (http://www.hudl.com/v/2BECNK)

Pure Speed

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Two things really pop on this clip.  I like how Dulin settles down out of the break on his route, but the route itself was quite lazy; something he will have to work on at the next level. The good part is what he does after the ball is in his hands, and this happens a lot. He wins with pure speed. When Dulin catches the ball there are four defenders within tackling distance of him; one with an angle and a fifth defender coming up from behind. None of it matters because his speed allows him to pull away from defenders and beat angles.

TD Speed

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This clip is one of the routes Dulin ran the most; the deep post. I have no clue what the safety was doing leaving the corner on an island with him, but it was lights out as he was on the corner’s toes at the very top of his route before breaking in for the post. Again, pure speed. As the saying goes: “if he’s even, he’s leaving.”

Contested Catch

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Here, Dulin was unable to completely destroy the corner off the line and to the defenders’ credit he actually had decent coverage on him, but he was able to high point the ball and come down with a fantastic contested touchdown grab.

Touchdown Grab

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Again, solid coverage on Dulin, but you can really see him focusing on the ball while knowing exactly where he was in relation to the sideline. This was a great grab while getting both feet in bounds.

Finding film from Malone University is about as difficult as it sounds.  However, in watching the tape that I could scrounge up, Dulin did exactly what a superior athlete playing against inferior competition should do, he dominated. He consistently played pitch and catch scoring long touchdown after long touchdown; game after game.

The Good

• Dulin is an upper percentile athlete and it shows on his tape
• Once he gets in the open field it’s lights out, was not caught from behind once
• Vision is outstanding, returned kicks which shows his knack for running with ball in his hands
• Run after the catch is really good, he moves like a running back with the ball in his hands
• Good balance and showed solid sideline awareness with his feet
• Instant special team ability may allow him to see action earlier than expected

The Bad

• Route running needs works, majority of the time he blew past defenders with ease
• Only saw him run a couple of routes, majority of them being the fly and deep post
• Did not face much or any press coverage
• Slow out of breaks
• Level of competition

He is a solid hands catcher and doesn’t let the ball get into his body often. Once he hits the open field, he’s probably going to score. He is a long strider but has good burst. It does not take him long to reach full speed. He has the ability to track and high point the football in order to make difficult grabs. What I like best about him is his vision. He was an outstanding kick returner. He compiled three kick return touchdowns and over 800 yards on 23 returns as a senior. His eye-popping 29.9 yards per kick return will be an asset that helps him see the field early in at the next level.

The Measurables

Based on his measurements, Dulin has comparisons to Corey Davis, Justin Blackmon, Miles Austin and DeVante Parker; not bad company. In an articled posted by According to IndeOnline.com, “there have been 1,321 NFL Combine invitations over the last four years, only 15 have been given to Division II athletes.’ Dulin is a legit NFL prospect having received an invitation over many prospects from larger schools.

Dulin took his Division II talents to the combine and put on a show. His breakout age and dominator rating being sky high should be exactly what you’d want to see given the type of athlete Dulin is. If it were anything other than 99^th percentile dominator rating and breakout age, we have to show some concern. His 87^th percentile speed score is there when you turn on the tape. He displayed the type of athleticism that justifies his invitation among the best prospects in this class. Majority of his testing measurables placed him in the top-10 at his position. His 40-yard dash time was seventh-fastest, vertical jump was tied for sixth, 3-cone ninth and short shuttle was eighth.

Dynasty Value

Right now, according to DLF’s Rookie ADP, Dulin is going undrafted. That probably won’t change unless he sneaks into the fourth round or higher during the NFL draft. That is highly unlikely, but from all accounts he will be selected on day three. This makes him a waiver wire add in most dynasty leagues; not bad to take a shot on a player who won’t cost you a thing.

Conclusion

Dulin is the furthest bet from a sure thing. You cannot ignore the fact that he has prototypical size and above-average athleticism. He should hear his name called on day 3 of the draft, and in the event he doesn’t he will be a priority free agent signee. Dulin has to improve on the technical aspect of playing wide receiver in the NFL, but his ability to contribute immediately on special teams will allow his to see game action and potentially get positional in game reps in a pinch. He will most likely will follow the same early career path as another former small school athletic prospect turned kick returner/receiver; Jacoby Jones. In deeper dynasty leagues you should grab Dulin after your drafts ends as a priority waiver wire add. I leave you with this parting fun-fact. AD’s first career touch at Malone went for an 82-yard touchdown, some wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders with a similar nickname AB, his first career regular season play went for an 89-yard touchdown! Don’t be surprise when he’s drafted earlier than expected; be prepared.