The New England Patriots have already sent pass rusher Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs, but a recent report indicates they could also trade team captain Kyle Dugger. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Lenoir-Rhyne product has been one of the brightest spots of the post-Brady Era. Establishing himself as a ferocious run defender with exceptional instincts, Dugger parlayed his early success under former head coach Bill Belichick into a four-year, $58 million deal.
While he remains a good player, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the Patriots could trade Kyle Dugger. This report is something of a head-scratcher, as New England would take on approximately $20 million in dead money by trading the recently re-signed safety while also damaging the locker room. Even if the report is true, New England won’t give him away for free, but the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens could be willing to break the bank for his services.
Chiefs, Ravens Could Trade For Patriots Kyle Dugger
The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s lone undefeated team, but that doesn’t mean they take their success for granted. General manager Brett Veach knows this is not a perfect roster, and he already addressed the biggest issues by trading for Uche and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. This team is poised for another deep playoff run, but they could use more help in the secondary to increase their odds of becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. While the cornerbacks gain more attention, the safety position could also use some help.
2023 fourth-round pick Chamarri Conner looks like the real deal, as Veach seems to have found yet another quality starting on the third day of the NFL Draft. However, veterans Justin Reid and Bryan Cook are nothing special and are playing like replacement-level starters. A Kyle Dugger trade would give the back half of this defense a much-needed playmaker, and the second-round pick’s hard-hitting, downhill style of play should mesh well with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Ravens Save the Secondary
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the league’s top offenses, but the defense could sabotage their chances of winning the Super Bowl. After losing several key players in free agency, the Ravens had no choice but to walk into 2024 with cheap veterans and homegrown depth replacing guys like Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen, and Geno Stone. So far, that hasn’t worked out, as the team currently ranks 28th in EPA/play allowed. A Kyle Dugger trade won’t fix everything, but the five-year veteran could fill multiple holes on this defense.
Kyle Hamilton remains one of the game’s best safeties, but Eddie Jackson is well past his prime and Marcus Williams was having a rough year even before his surprise benching. Dugger could seamlessly step into the second safety role and once again provide Baltimore with an elite duo in the defensive backfield. Additionally, Dugger plays the game like a linebacker and could help fortify a run defense that has missed Patrick Queen. Dugger is also a powerful blitzer who could provide another body to a top-heavy pass rush.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
