Kyle Dugger

2020 NFL Draft: Bills select Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger in CBS Sports mock

In CBS Sports’ latest three-round mock draft, the Bills use those two picks to select defensive end Josh Uche and safety Kyle Dugger.

The Bills no longer have pick No. 22 at the 2020 NFL Draft, but there’s still picks 54 and 86 to consider. Those two selections in the second and third rounds, respectively, could land the team some impact players.

In CBS Sports‘ latest three-round mock draft, the Bills use those to select defensive end Josh Uche and safety Kyle Dugger.

Here’s the breakdown on Uche:

The Bills lost Shaq Lawson in free agency and signed Mario Addison, but Uche provides even more edge rush presence for a talented defense.

And on Dugger:

Dugger is a small-schooler who brings versatility to the table, and he should fit in well on Sean McDermott’s defense.

Bills Wire previously reported that Uche met with the Bills at the recent Senior Bowl, so to some extent, there’s interest. Buffalo did add plenty to their defensive line via free agency with defensive end Mario Addison highlighting that overhaul. But Addison is 32 and Jerry Hughes in 31. Buffalo needs some youthful depth there so defensive end is certainly in play with their second-round pick.

In 12 games last season, Uche had 7.6 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss for the Wolverines. He also forced a fumble and had a pass defended with 33 total tackles.

At about 6-foot-2, Uche is a tad undersized for potentially playing as a defensive end in Buffalo’s 4-3 defensive scheme. According to Pro Football Focus, Uche did play 170 of his 470 defensive snaps this season off the ball, though. So he has experience with his hand on and off the ground.

The Bills also need a replacement for linebacker Lorenzo Alexander next season thanks to his retirement and PFF notes that “a move off-ball could be in his future.”

Dugger is a product of Lenoir-Rhyne, a DII program. With a name like that which you haven’t heard much of, Dugger would be very much a raw talent. But from the sounds of it, a hybrid linebacker-safety sounds much like Matt Milano. The current Bills linebacker is certainly a playmaker, but could Dugger also find his way to fill in for Lorenzo Alexander in a nickel-type role?

Regardless of whoever replaces Alexander, both Uche and Dugger being compared to Alexander would give the Bills versatility on defense, something the club covets all over their roster.

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Jedrick Wills highlights latest 3-round haul for Browns in Draft Wire mock

Our friends over at Draft Wire released their latest 3-round mock draft for the 2020 class, and it’s chock full of trades and action at the top. The Cleveland Browns aren’t involved in the movement, but it creates some dynamics that lead to different players than typically projected being available still on the board when the Browns pick at No. 10 overall in the first round.

It’s a familiar face at No. 10. Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills gets the nod, keeping him in the top three of players projected in over 100 mock drafts we’ve tracked since January. And it makes perfect sense, even after the Browns signing of premium tackle Jack Conklin in free agency. Wills would have to move to left tackle, however, and it remains to be seen if he can switch sides.

Another familiar name comes in the second round with safety Kyle Dugger from Lenoir-Rhyne. The D-II stud remains despite the Browns signing Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo at safety.

The two third-round picks are both from the SEC. Kentucky OL Logan Sternberg is up first, followed by Auburn DT Marlon Davidson with the pick acquired from Houston for Duke Johnson.

5 safety options for Cowboys in 2020 NFL draft

As we continue to preview prospects at positions of need for the Dallas Cowboys I can’t help but to think back to the old attage, the more

The more things change the more they stay the same. Its been 18 years since the Cowboys drafted a safety in the first round of the NFL draft, when they spent the eighth-overall pick on safety Roy Williams from the University of Oklahoma. As of recently, the safety positions seems to be the one position of need that never gets addressed enough to actually improve the position. It could be how they value the position or the options available to improve the position but to their credit they have kicked the tires over the last two years to acquire impact players at the position.

First it was attempting to trade for Earl Thomas then eventually trying to sign him the following off-season but was outbid for his services by the Baltimore Ravens. This past season at the trade deadline they flirted with trading for Jamal Adams but the price was to steep as they did not want to part ways with a first-round pick plus other assets. However, after passing on safety prospects like Taylor Rapp, Nassir Adderley and Juan Thornhill in the second round of last years draft the Cowboys find themselves again searching to improve the position. Luckily for the Cowboys the 2020 draft class is equipped with some potential Day-1 impact starters.

Grant Delpit, S, LSU

The 6-foot-2, 213 pound safety has been one the most popular players mocked to the Cowboys and for good reason. Delpit was a three-year starter at LSU lining up as both a free and strong safety. He is a ball-hawk with very good instincts in coverage. He has quick feet with loose and flexible hips. He does a good job reading quarterback eyes and breaking to the football.

Delpit has excellent ball skills and finished with eight interceptions throughout his college career. He struggles at times as a tackler often lunging with his shoulders and missing tackles. He must shore up his tackling inconsistency, but Delpit is a very real option at pick No. 17. Delpit completed his junior season with 65 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble an one fumble recovery.

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What the experts say:

NFL.com

Aggressive, urgent striker with good upside who posted a disappointing follow-up to an exciting 2018 campaign. His evaluation requires a full load of 2018 tape, where his coverage potential was better illustrated. He transitions with instinctive eyes and plays physically against tight ends. Willingness to rush in and hit has never been a problem in the alley or in his fits, but tackle inconsistencies have plagued him throughout his career due to angles and technique that could be challenging to fix. LSU sources say NFL teams won’t be getting the alpha leadership Jamal Adams provided for the Tigers, but Delpit should find a starting role early in his career as a versatile safety with big nickel potential.

Draft Network:

Grant Delpit projects as an impact defender at the NFL level. Tackling issues in the open field will put off some teams, but he’s physically capable of booming hits and his foundation as a player is a pretty rare blend of skills — making him an enticing every down defender that can be a centerpiece to weekly game plans. Delpit has high football intelligence and can handle any number of roles or responsibilities, adding him to a roster will add infinite flexibility to back-end coverage combos.

Walter Football:

Some players are so good they jump out at you even when you are studying other players for a another draft. That was the case with Delpit in 2018, as he was impossible to miss when watching LSU. The fast and physical safety was all over the field for the Tigers, commanding viewers to take notice. He totaled 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, nine passes batted and five interceptions that season. Delpit showed an excellent combination of size and speed to be a difference-maker at safety in the professional ranks. His impressive high-quality play to go along with his skill set had NFL teams thinking he had top-20 potential for his draft class.

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Who can be the Dolphins’ backup plans to LB Isaiah Simmons?

Any hope that the Miami Dolphins might have had for drafting linebacker Isaiah Simmons in the 2020 NFL Draft without an earth-shattering trade somewhere along the way went up in smoke at the 2020 NFL Combine. It took all of 4.39 seconds for Simmons, at nearly 240 pounds, to blaze his way into a lock for the top-10 picks in April.

That’s good, right? Given that Miami owns the 5th overall pick? Well, not exactly, because the Dolphins also have a dire need at quarterback and will almost assuredly be spending that first draft pick on their quarterback of the future. Which means Miami must boldly jump up from 18 (to perhaps 7 with the rebuilding Panthers?) to draft Simmons and give up a significant amount of draft capital if they indeed invest in their quarterback early on.

Conversely, might the Dolphins be better off looking for a backup plan to the all-time Swiss army knife defender?

Yes, because this year’s NFL Draft boasts two more freak athletes from small schools — and Brian Flores would likely love to tackle coaching either one of them.

Their names? Kyle Dugger of Lenoir-Rhyne University and Jeremy Chinn of Southern Illinois.

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As a safety prospect, Dugger is an elite athlete effectively across the board. He jumped higher in box explosive tests than Simmons and nearly matched his 40-time, although that came with 20 less pounds on his frame. And, coming from Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger’s football intelligence isn’t quite as polished as Simmons’.

Where might Dugger be had in the Draft? If a team totally falls in love with his potential, who knows. But conservative bets put him in the 2nd-round — meaning he might be a candidate for the Dolphins at either 39 or 56, assuming they sit tight.

Jeremy Chinn

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Chinn tested even more dynamic as an athlete in Indianapolis and his tape is littered with reps in coverage, as a blitzer and defending the run for Southern Illinois. Yes — he’ll face a jump in his athletic testing, but that’s evident with athletes as any and every level. Chinn is another Day 2 target — so if the Dolphins do indeed miss Simmons in the top-10, they should be eyeing this athletically gifted duo early on Friday night.

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2020 NFL draft: Kyle Dugger scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans should know about Lenoir-Rhyne safety prospect Kyle Dugger

Kyle Dugger | S | Lenoir-Rhyne

Elevator Pitch

The Cliff Harris Award winner, which is given to the best defensive player in Division II. Dugger has size, athleticism and length to be an impactful. defender at the next level. The small school safety has been a riser since the Senior Bowl. He could find his way into the conversation for day two.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 217

Class | Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

With Dugger, there is some position flexibility. While he projects best as a strong safety, there could be opportunity to play nickel corner in sub packages. Has the physical profile to cover tight ends at the NFL level. Teams could move him around to maximize his potential.

The small school prospect can win with speed and athletic ability. Dugger can play from a single high position and he gets downhill fast in order to help in run support. He understands angles and uses his speed to get there, and he will explode through his tackles. Can be disruptive at the catch point.

One underrated aspect of his game is return ability. At Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger was used on punt returns which makes him even more attractive at the next level. He averaged a touchdown return for every 10 attempts. Six total scores in four seasons as a return man on punt coverage. Only returned a handful of kickoffs but could be a way to get on the field early in his career.

Weaknesses

See the ball, chase the ball. It isn’t necessarily bad when you find a guy who can play with reactions. However, his instincts are not up to par with where you would expect a top tier safety to be. Dugger needs to get up to speed with the uptick in competition. Gets away with his mental processing due to the speed at which he plays.

Dugger will need to be coached up quite a bit with coverage. Since his instincts aren’t quite there, he will need some work when asked to drop into coverage, instead of playing for the run. He definitely has the traits that a good defensive coach can mold into a more well-rounded safety.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

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New mock draft has Bears adding safety, tight end in 2nd round

In a new mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the Bears address needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

The Bears have several positions they need to address this offseason, and the NFL Draft would be a good place to land some young talent at two important positions.

Chicago is once again without a first-round pick (which was sent to the Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade.) But they do have a pair of second round selections in the top-150, and general manager Ryan Pace needs to make them count.

In The Athletic‘s newest three-round mock draft, Dane Brugler has the Bears addressing needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

With the 43rd overall pick, Brugler has Chicago taking Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger. With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix likely lost to free agency, the Bears need to find a safety to line up opposite Eddie Jackson, which certainly adds defensive back near the top of Chicago’s offseason needs.

Then, with the 50th selection, Brugler has the Bears drafting Notre Dame tight Cole Kmet. Kmet is widely considered the best tight end in the draft, and Chicago will likely have their pick of tight ends in the second round should Pace choose to take one that early.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, and they’re projected to add a fourth-round compensatory selection to the list. With no shortage of needs on this roster — from offensive line to edge rusher to tight end to defensive back — the Bears should be able to add some effective pieces to this roster.

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2020 NFL Combine winners: Safeties

Examining and identifying the top on-field safeties performances from the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine concluded their on-field drills on Sunday with the safeties wrapping up the event.

With the Lions investing a third-round pick at the safety position in each of the last two drafts, it may appear they are not in the market for another, but that’s not necessarily the case. In the Lions base 3-3-5 scheme, they deploy three safety sets roughly 50-percent of defensive snaps, and with Tavon Wilson a potential free agent, adding another safety could end up being a sneaky important need.

Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota

5-9, 203, 40 y/d: 4.45, vertical: 36″, broad: 10’4″

The Lions need playmakers who can create turnovers in their secondary and Winfield is a ballhawk who would fit in perfectly at the Lions single-high safety position. In on-field drills, he showed off his traits with speed, quickness, burst to point of attack, high-pointed the ball, and sure hands to wrap up the catch.

Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyme

6-1, 217, 40 y/d: 4.49, vertical: 42″, broad: 11’2″

If the Lions think they can handle the single-high position between Tracy Walker and Will Harris, Dugger is a legitimate candidate for the Wilson role as a box safety who can cover the slot and intermediate/middle of the field. Like Winfield, he has great speed, is explosive when tracking the ball or offensive player, and can create turnovers. If you are an Isaiah Simmons or Miles Killebrew fan, Dugger is right up your alley.

Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois

6-3, 221, 40 y/d: 4.45, vertical: 41″, broad: 11’6″

Not only did Chinn check the boxes in timed/measured drills, but he was one of the more impressive players in the final group. He was incredibly smooth in his backpedal, located and tracked the ball with ease, and consistently high-pointed and secured the catch — Chinn made it all looked very easy.

Like with Dugger and Simmons, Chinn is a box safety with coverage skills and is comfortable in the slot. If the Lions are in the market for a Wilson replacement, his name has to be in the mix.

Tanner Muse, Clemson

6-2, 227, 40 y/d: 4.41, vertical: 34.5″, broad: 10’4″

Despite coming out of Clemson, expectations were low that Muse would have a solid Combine — and then he blew those expectations out of the water.

Muse’s game film indicated he wasn’t the most fleet of foot, but his 4.41 40-yard-dash time indicated the potential is there. He looked sharp in on-field drills but did have some wasted movement in transitions, which match his film in coverage. Because his coverage skills still need work, he projects more of a Killebrew-like replacement — a box safety/WILL linebacker who can be a four-phase special teamer — rather a Wilson level replacement.

Notes:

Xavier McKinney (6-0.5, 203, Alabama) injured his hamstring during his first 40-yard dash, so take his 4.63 second time with a grain of salt — he plays faster.

20 things we learned from the 2020 scouting combine

The scouting combine is a fascinating fountain of draft and NFL knowledge. Here are the 20 most important things we learned this year.

Every February, as we rise out of our Super Bowl hangovers, the scouting combine comes along to re-focus our heads into the upcoming league year, draft, and actual season. Here are 20 things we learned this time around,

Free agency could be a whole new ballgame.

Based on the feeling in Indianapolis last week, there are two pendulums that hang over the new league year, which begins March 18: A free-agent quarterback situation the likes of which we’ve never seen before (more on that in a minute), and the status of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. A group of owners and player representatives from all 32 teams met in Indy last Tuesday, with a 17-14 player rep vote with one abstention taking the proposal to the entire player pool for a ratification vote once a few things are ironed out.

If that goes through, we’re close to labor peace until the end of the decade. The owners are offering a bigger piece of the pie of all broadcast revenue, which should increase drastically with new television deals. Some players are balking at a 17-game season, which the owners seem to see as an inflexible bargaining chip. If there is no agreement, there could be a lockout in 2021 following the expiration of the current CBA. At this point, owners don’t know what the salary cap will be long-term without an agreement. Could this lead to a depressed market in free agency? We will have to wait and see.

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12 defensive combine standouts for the Bills to consider

12 defensive standouts at the 2020 NFL combine for the Buffalo Bills to consider at the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis over the weekend. Potential rookie prospects took center stage while every team in the league watched. The Bills among them.

At the event, there were several defensive prospects who stood out. Could the Bills bring some of them in to fortify their stout defense?

Here are 12 defensive prospects who impressed at the combine that the Bills could consider adding at the upcoming draft:

Boise State linebacker Curtis Weaver. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

DE Curtis Weaver | Boise State

Curtis Weaver is a bit of a hybrid player like Lorenzo Alexander was for the Bills. His scouting reports say the defender can lineup as a defensive end with his hand in the dirt or as a standup linebacker. That’s some of what Alexander did for the Bills. Over the past three seasons, Weaver recorded 34.5 sacks and 47.5 tackles for loss. At the combine, he posted a 7.0 time in the 3-cone drill and a 4.27 second short shuttle time.

DE Alton Robinson | Syracuse

Syracuse isn’t exactly the powerhouse type of football program a team will find an immediate impact-maker, but Alton Robinson could become a solid edge addition. With the pending loss of Shaq Lawson via free agency and the rotation the Bills play at the defensive end position in mind, Robinson put up positive combine numbers that the Bills could like. His 4.69 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the third best among all defensive linemen in the draft. Robinson also posted 25 bench press reps and a 35.5-inch vertical jump, making him Cuse’s best defensive prospect since Chandler Jones.

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Kyle Dugger could be the Browns answer at safety

Kyle Dugger could be the Browns answer at safety with his excellent game tape and strong 2020 NFL Scouting Combine

Looking for an athletic whiz with impressive production while playing both safety and linebacker, a guy who lit up his 2020 NFL Scouting Combine workout? The Cleveland Browns figure to be interested in such a player, particularly with a gaping hole in the middle-of-field defense thanks to free agency.

There’s a prominent player who fits that bill, but that’s not the athletic freak that the Browns will have a viable shot at drafting. Safety Kyle Dugger from D-II Lenoir Rhyne in North Carolina could be just what the Browns want in a physical, speedy strong safety/outside LB with playmaking flair.

In short, if you love Isaiah Simmons and what he did at Clemson as a hybrid defender, you’ll probably really like Dugger, too. And if the Browns don’t land Simmons in the first round — and that seems like a safe presumption after his glorious combine workout — selecting Dugger in Day 2 might be the best course of action.

D-II DB Kyle Dugger is jumping OUT OF THE COMBINE! @KingDugg_3
😳 Vertical jump: 42”
😳 Broad jump: 11’2”#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/YET1Odn63r

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2020

Dugger also had the longest arms (32 7/8″), biggest hands (10 3/8″) and largest wingspan (78 1/2″) of any defensive back in Indianapolis.

None of that means much if he can’t play football. But Dugger is no Taylor Mays or Obi Melifonwu, two physically prodigious NFL flops. I saw all three compete in their respective years at the Senior Bowl practices, including Dugger this year. Dugger’s ability in coverage and athletic awareness in team drills surpassed both Melifonwu but especially Mays.

He’s not without warts. Dugger hasn’t competed on the field against a single NFL player, save his impressive Senior Bowl week. He needs to improve his field awareness in coverage and his man coverage skills are not sharp. Like Simmons, his outstanding speed can cause him to take riskier, suboptimal angles, angles that won’t work against bigger/faster/stronger ball handlers in the NFL. There is some Jabrill Peppers to his game (and Simmons’ for that matter), to relate it to a recent Browns first-rounder.

Most projections show Dugger going in the middle of the second to the middle of the third round. After his stellar combine, the Browns will almost certainly need to use their second-round pick at No. 41 overall. After watching his workout and reviewing two game films from Lenoir Rhyne, it wouldn’t be a bad choice at all.