Patriots continue trade activity, send former second-round pick Kyle Dugger to Steelers

The New England Patriots were extremely active in Tuesday's trade market. To the surprise of many, though, they've prioritized draft picks over players.

Back-to-back trades

Shortly after trading defensive end Keion White and a seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers, New England shipped former second-round pick Kyle Dugger and a seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round pick. 

In total, New England traded away two players and two seventh rounders in exchange for two sixth rounders in next year's draft.

Kyle Dugger's tenure with Patriots

The former second rounder has put together a solid career, collecting 441 tackles and nine interceptions in 81 career games. 

Just last season, Dugger signed a four-year, $58M extension with the franchise. That lasted just 20 games, though, and Dugger will now likely finish that extension time in Pittsburgh.

It was well-known that Dugger was being shopped around the league, and it eventually led to him being moved to the second team of his career.