REPORT: Patriots Use Transition Tag on Kyle Dugger

Patriots Use Transition Tag on Kyle Dugger

Kyle Dugger spent the final year of his contract on a poor Patriots squad. However, despite the underwhelming record, Dugger himself had a solid season. Starting and appearing in all 17 games for the first time in his career, the defensive back finished the season with 109 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks.

Dugger originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected by the Patriots, the Lenoir-Rhyne product began his career as a rotational player in the secondary. Appearing in 14 games while making seven starts, the rookie finished his first season in the league with 64 tackles and one tackle-for-loss.

The second-round pick built on this success in 2021 and earned a full-time starting job in his second season. Appearing in 15 games, Kyle Dugger finished the second year of his contract with 92 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two quarterback hits, and a career-high four interceptions. Starring on one of the better defenses in the league, Dugger helped guide the team to their first postseason birth of the post-Brady Era.

While the 2022 Patriots were unable to match the success of their 2021 counterparts, Dugger remained a reliable player. Starting in 15 of a possible 17 games, the safety ended the season with 78 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two quarterback hits, one sack, and three interceptions.

Since signing his rookie contract, Kyle Dugger has appeared in 61 games while making 52 starts. During his time on the field, the Lenoir-Rhyne product has recorded 343 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, nine quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and nine interceptions. He had made the playoffs one time but is still searching for his first postseason victory.

Main Photo: Bob DeChiara – USA Today Sports