Tag: Lenoir–Rhyne

How new safety Kyle Dugger fits into the Patriots defense

Kyle Dugger can be an impact player right away.

[jwplayer cQt1Dfhi-ThvAeFxT]

On the second day of the 2020 draft, the Patriots made it clear they wanted to address some of their biggest needs. With the long-term future of the safety position in question, Bill Belichick and co. knew that they needed to find someone in this draft.

So, the Patriots targeted their guy and went after him. New England selected safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne, a Division II school in North Carolina.

Dugger spent six years at Lenoir-Rhyne but only really played in four due to multiple injuries. In his four seasons, he recorded 237 tackles, 36 passes defended, 10 interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

With Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung still holding the starting safety spots, there is certainly a question about what Dugger’s role will be in New England.

At first, he’ll likely fill more of the Duron Harmon role to start. Harmon spent the last few years patrolling as the third safety. He played some deep safety and helped with double-teams. Dugger is more athletic than Harmon, so he may be able to take on more assignments in that third safety role, but that’s primarily where he’ll play to start.

His addition is also important to give time off to the starting safeties now. Dugger’s skill set allows him to perform at both safety positions. He can be more of a coverage guy at times or he can play down in the box. He’s a bit of a chameleon in that sense.

McCourty has played at least 94% of the snaps in every season over the last four years, and that kind of stress can take a toll. Chung, on the other hand, has missed some snaps over the last couple of years due to injury. As he gets older, he’ll need some more time off as well.

Dugger can also play on special teams. He took 67 punt returns in college, returning six of them for touchdowns. The Patriots have struggled to find a punt returner since Julian Edelman really came into his own on offense. They’ve thrown Chung and Danny Amendola back there at times, but they need a guy who can do it full time. In his first couple of years, Dugger can be that guy.

In the near future, McCourty and Chung will be gone. Both of them are entering their 33-year-old season and have two years remaining on their contract. So, as Dugger enters his third season in the league, he should be able to ascend to one of the starting safety spots. Thanks to his versatility, he can probably perform at either of those positions.

Dugger will be crucial to the future success of the Patriots. He needs to show up, learn from the veterans, and make the transition from the Division II level to the NFL.

[vertical-gallery id=83599]

Instant analysis of Patriots selecting Kyle Dugger at pick No. 37

Kyle Dugger’s athleticism and versatility makes him a promising prospect.

The New England Patriots dug deep for their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

New England selected Division II safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne with the No. 37 pick. The Patriots traded out down from their No. 23 pick to obtain the No. 37 and No. 71 picks — and it makes sense now. Bill Belichick knew he could grab Dugger with a later pick and capitalized on the opportunity.

Dugger is a 6-foot, 217 pound box safety who carries a similar skillset to Patrick Chung. He earned Division II Player of the Year last season and has the capability of playing the linebacker position as well. He was a four-year starter who plays a gritty game and makes an impact on the special teams unit as well — recording six punt returns in his career.

The secondary is one of New England’s deepest parts of the team, but they need some youth at the safety position. Devin McCourty and Chung are both 32-years-old, leaving some uncertainty on their future as top-tier players in the league.

Dugger carries a level of versatility and athleticism that Belichick couldn’t pass up. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and a recorded a 42-inch vertical — giving him a unique combination of speed and size. Dugger’s college defensive coordinator Joel Taylor spoke about his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.

“He can play nine spots on the field (at the college level except interior DL),” Taylor said. “So whoever becomes his defensive coordinator will have fun with him. A guy like him gives you the ability to be very creative with schemes and be multiple without changing packages.”

The Patriots landed a freak athlete with an underdog story — it usually works out in Belichick’s favor.

[vertical-gallery id=83133]

The Patriots select Kyle Dugger in second round of the 2020 NFL Draft

A classically surprising pick.

[jwplayer cQt1Dfhi-ThvAeFxT]

The New England Patriots have selected Lenoir–Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger with the 37th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s the first division II prospects off the draft board.

New England acquired the selection in trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, who gave up Nos. 37 and 71 for the 23rd overall pick where L.A. took Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Dugger joins the Patriots’ depth chart, which includes Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Adrian Phillips, Terrence Brooks and Obi Melifonwu. It seemed like a matter of time that Bill Belichick, a huge fan of defensive backs, filled out the back end of the safety position with a young talent, particularly with McCourty and Chung approaching 33 years old.

Dugger stands at 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds with an impressive vertical leap of 42 inches. He also ran a 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and had a wildly impressive broad jump of 134 inches. Not only is he an elite athlete, but he’s studyied to be an engineer and architect.

He’s a versatile safety, who will contribute on specials teams immediately while he waits for snaps behind McCourty, Chung, Phillips and Brooks. Not only will he likely serve in coverage, but he can also contribute as a returner. He has even considered playing linebacker in the NFL.

“I definitely think linebacker is a possibility for me. It really depends on how teams feel about me. I definitely think safety is my best fit personally, but teams could see it differently. I love playing safety though,” he told Draft Wire before this year’s draft.

[vertical-gallery id=83133]