Patriots Star Favorite Predicted to Be Poached by Packers
Even in the face of persistent failure on the opposing side of the ball, the Patriots defense has undoubtedly been one of their strong points during a 3-11 campaign. We’ve seen how Bill Belichick assembles his teams, prioritizing defense over offense and making significant defensive investments. There’s not much evidence to suggest that he will take a different tack if he goes back to New England. For defensive back Kyle Dugger, one of the prominent Patriots free agents, that may be excellent news.
This winter, Dugger will be primed to make a real profit from his winding and peculiar journey to the NFL. According to Spotrac, the Patriots have roughly $75 million in salary space for 2024, which places them third in the NFL. If they so want, they could retain Dugger.
A “blueprint” for a Dugger contract in free agency was envisioned by the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit to resemble the three-year, $36 million deal that Grant Delpit inked with the Browns this month.
However, there would be other teams prepared to take advantage if the Patriots faltered. This week, the Green Bay Packers were highlighted by Bleacher Report.
Kyle Dugger a ‘Great Fit’ in Green Bay?
As far as Bleacher Report is concerned, the Packers should watch out for Dugger’s next move. With so many free agents available, the thin secondary of the Green Bay Packers may be able to find some aid for their defense. Dugger is a large, adaptable safety who excels at providing run assistance. Of all the Packers targets, he makes the most sense.
The following is how the Packers defense, according to Bleacher Report, fits him in:
Due to the fact that they have multiple upcoming free agents at the safety position, including important players like Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens, Green Bay will be active in the safety market this offseason. Even though it’s hard to replace three guys with one, Kyle Dugger would be a fantastic addition to the Packers due in large part to his versatility.
“The four-year veteran has recorded a significant amount of snaps in the box, as a deep safety, and over the slot this season. The team will need to fill a few holes in the secondary.”
Patriots’ Bill Belichick Took a 2020 Chance
Once more, it’s a good chance that Dugger remains in New England during the offseason, possibly with a franchise tag. Belichick was widely criticized for selecting Dugger.
In 2020, the Patriots traded out of the first round of the NFL draft and selected Kyle Dugger—a name that very few people had ever heard of—with their first pick in the second round. He was a senior in his sixth year of college from Division at the time. II Lenoir-Rhyne, and New England was not short of indignation. However, Dugger has improved over time to become a dependable professional and among the league’s top safeties.
Dugger is ranked 20th on Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 50 free agents for 2024.
As more teams switch to dime packages and huge dime looks with three safeties, “Bill Belichick, the head coach of the Patriots, has fallen in love with the mold of the safety/linebacker hybrid that Kyle Dugger is,” the website stated. “Dugger isn’t a liability in coverage, especially against bigger slot receivers and tight ends, and he fits in the run game as well as any defensive back in the NFL.”
He is one of the unrestricted free agents on the Patriots that Belichick will give top priority to.
