The New England Patriots have done an excellent job of keeping their defense as a top-notch unit in the NFL despite some overhauling of the personnel. No matter who Bill Belichick deploys, he seems to unearth talented players that fit the scheme and excel.
The latest example of that is safety Kyle Dugger. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger has quickly developed into a key contributor to the Patriots’ defense. After being a rotation player as a rookie in 2020, starting seven of the 14 games he appeared in, he has been a full-time starter since.
As a rookie, Dugger played 58 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and was on the field for 518 plays. He also made his presence felt on special teams, playing 182 snaps there. That versatility has continued despite his presence on the defense growing.
In the last two seasons, Dugger has started in all 30 games he has appeared in while also remaining a key component of the special teams unit. On defense, he plays multiple roles as the team likes to bring him as a blitzer while still providing production in pass coverage and in run support.
Paying players top-of-the-market prices isn’t something that the Patriots normally do despite how good that player may become. J.C. Jackson is the latest example as New England allowed the star cornerback to depart in free agency, signing a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.
While still rare, Dugger is the one player that Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Patriots should work out an extension with before the 2023 season gets underway. He has become the centerpiece of the team’s secondary, taking over a leadership role that was held by Devin McCourty for years.
Locking Dugger up to a long-term extension now would be beneficial for the Patriots. It would give them a chance to save some money because if he hits the open market, his price tag is going to only get bigger. As arguably the best safety hitting the market in 2024, plenty of teams will throw big money at him in free agency.
To avoid that, working out a deal this offseason would be beneficial. Dugger has certainly earned a long-term contract with 234 total tackles in 44 games to go along with 11 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 13 passes defended. He is an excellent playmaker as the last line of defense and a respected leader in the locker room that should stick around in New England for years to come.
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