Patriots: Players who can snag starting jobs after recent string of opt outs

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Safety Kyle Dugger #23 from Lenoir Rhyne of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

3. Kyle Dugger (Safety)

In our eyes, the Patriots are more equipped to overcome the loss of Chung at safety than they are at linebacker and right tackle, and it starts with rookie Kyle Dugger, who was their first pick of the 2020 Draft at No. 37 overall. When you consider how much Chung regressed in pass coverage last year, New England was likely already planning to experiment with more rotation at the safety position this season anyway.

Dugger will have to compete with the likes of Adrian Phillips and Terrence Brooks to earn a starting spot next to veteran Devin McCourty, but the sheer reach that Belichick showcased to ensure that he could draft the former Lenoir-Rhyne star proves that he thinks he can contribute in Year 1. Without a preseason, the 24-year-old will have an uphill climb to win the job, but we don’t doubt that he can pull it off.

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