ESPN cites Patriots star defender as a top-10 NFL safety

ESPN recently released their choices of who they feel are the top ten safeties in the NFL heading into the 2024 season. Kyle Dugger was tabbed and made the short list, while his partner Jabrill Peppers did not. Although he is also an outstanding player, Dugger's inclusion in that rarified company is no fluke. He's been solid since being drafted by the Patriots as a small-college phenom from Lenoir-Rhyne University.

As one of Bill Belichick's best draft picks in recent years, Dugger was selected in the second round in 2020. In his four years in Foxborough, he hasn't disappointed. While he's yet to achieve any Pro Bowls, he's been a productive asset to the Patriots since he arrived.

Owing to that solid performance, the Pats recently signed the soon-to-be-free agent Dugger to a big contract extension. That four-year contract has a guarantee of $32M, which is a very tangible appreciation of Dugger's contributions.

Unfortunately, as was Belichick's habit, allowing the player to get to year four without an extension was a costly personnel gaffe, oft-repeated by the future Hall-of-Fame Coach. New personnel head Eliot Wolf, however, moved expeditiously to re-sign Dugger after initially slapping the Transition tag on him.

So, let's look at Dugger and why he was chosen amongst the best.

Kyle Dugger is cited by NFL coaches as one of the best safeties in the league

Kyle Dugger's ranking is a surefire sign that the Patriots drafted a great player and chose to extend one of their best this offseason. His ranking as one of the best in the NFL is unsurprising to most, with other outlets, like SI.com, crediting his rise to stardom as to why "various NFL GMs, scouts, and coaches" ranked him eighth overall.

Dugger has been a consistent starter since 2021, starting most of the games in which he's played the past three seasons. During his four-year tenure, the now 28-year-old Dugger has racked up some impressive numbers.

He's had nine interceptions in his career. In 2023, he had perhaps his best season overall. Last season, he racked up 109 total stops, with six tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. That's called great performance timing when heading into free agency.

Teamed with Peppers, who can also play in the box and deeper, the Patriots present a formidable safety unit. Combine the 2023 defense with injury returnees Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez, and emerging defensive tackles, Christian Barmore and possible breakout star, Keion White, and this defense will rise to a whole new and possibly playoff level.

More Patriots coverage: