After Bill Belichick drafted Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger in the second round, the New England Patriots coach told the rookie safety that he would be learning under Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung. It was basically the first thing Belichick told Dugger.
Perhaps Duggar took that to heart, because he and McCourty had already spoken by phone, just two days after the Patriots drafted Dugger in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. And it seems Dugger made a good impression.
“I have talked to him,” McCourty said Sunday on his ‘Double Coverage’ podcast with twin brother Jason. “Kid is ready to work. Got to appreciate that.”
Dugger will spend the next few months competing with McCourty for snaps in the back end of New England’s defense. Though Dugger comes from Division II — and, at 37th overall, he was the highest DII selection this century — his athleticism and work ethic should build a path to the field in short time. That doesn’t worry McCourty at all.
“For me, it has always been how can I help?,” he said. “My second year in New England we drafted Ras-I Dowling and until this day, that is one of my good friends because we always used to go out to dinner, always talk. I think that is how you have to see it. You never compete with a guy at your position because you never go against each other. You are battling at the position, but the competition is against the receivers on your team, then eventually the preseason games, the regular season. I have always tried to develop great bonds with guys who have come in there. I think that is part of being a leader and I think that is part of who you want to be as a person. That is what I love.
“I am excited to get Kyle in there.”
Considering it’s an abnormal offseason amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dugger is lucky to have a supportive veteran lending a watchful eye. As much as Dugger has major upside, he’s also got a long way to go, and his much-needed development may be delayed with no rookie minicamp.
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