Patriots reach long-term deal with safety Kyle Dugger
The New England Patriots begin their voluntary offseason workout program this week. Ahead of those workouts, the team and their top remaining free agent made sure he’s set with a contract heading into the season.
According to reporting from NFL Network on Sunday morning, the Patriots and Kyle Dugger have agreed on a four-year contract extension. The deal is worth a base value of $58 million, worth up to $66 million, and contains $32.5 in guaranteed money.
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Prior to this extension the Patriots had Dugger, 28, on the transition tag, which they placed on him prior to the start of free agency. That would have had him playing on a one-year, $13.8 million tender.
Now, Dugger is set to be the sixth-highest-paid safety in the NFL in 2024 in terms of AAV, according to OverTheCap.com. In terms of total guaranteed money, his contract has the fifth most of active deals at the position, again according to OTC.
This is the first big payday for Dugger, who is coming off of his rookie contract. A second-round pick in 2020, Dugger has played in 61 games for the Patriots over the last four years making 52 starts. In 17 games last season he recorded a career-high 109 tackles with seven pass breakouts and a forced fumble, as well as 1.5 sacks. He also led the team playing 1,115 defensive snaps.
The question now is what Dugger’s role will look like on his new contract. After being used mainly as a box safety over the first three years of his career the Patriots played him deep more often to begin the 2023 season, after the retirement of longtime free safety Devin McCourty. Dugger’s production dipped, then he once again made an impact when he moved back into the box more later in the year.
Dugger and Jabrill Peppers return from last year’s safety room, with Adrian Phillips and Jalen Mills having left this offseason. Both Dugger and Peppers are primarily box safeties but capable at playing on the back end, so the Patriots will need to decide if they want to have them split free safety reps, or add another player to keep both in the box.
With Dugger signed, the Patriots have just four players who remain unsigned from last year’s roster. That group is running back Ezekiel Elliott, wide receiver Tre Nixon, tackle Riley Reiff, and linebacker Terez Hall.
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Which wide receiver prospects fit the Eliot Wolf mold?
Stop us if you’ve heard this in a prior year: the 2024 NFL Draft is filled with legitimate wide receiver prospects, from the first round to the undrafted.
There’s usually a natural drop-off from the first round to the second, and so on. But in 2024, it’s uncommonly deep. So, the whole receiver class should be a major consideration for Eliot Wolf and the New England Patriots. they have no shortage of options at the position.
As the team turns the page to a new era of drafting, it’s time to try and understand what Wolf is going to be looking for among the wide receiver prospects. Based on who he drafted during his time at the top of the ranks in the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns front offices, Wolf has a type.
Generally, Wolf wants his outside receivers to be big boys. Over six feet and 200 pounds is ideal. What also stands out about the data we gathered here at 985TheSportsHub.com is that Wolf doesn’t necessarily need the fastest guys. He’s more about pure size and athleticism, at least when it comes to perimeter players. Guys who can beat press coverage and go up and get the ball, as opposed to burners or precise route-runners.
Wide Receiver Prospects For The Patriots
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 28: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores on a 16 yard touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Based on wide receivers drafted by the Packers from 2011-17 and the Browns from 2018-19, here’s the average player that drew Wolf’s interest…
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 207 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.48
Vertical: 36.7 inches
Bench Press: 13 reps
Broad Jump: 10 feet 2 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 6.87 seconds
Shuttle: 4.23 seconds
At the end of the day, it’s fair to expect that if and when the Patriots draft an outside receiver in the 2024 draft, it’ll be a bigger guy. It’s OK if they were good-but-not-great in the 40-yard dash. But generally, look for verticals in the upper-30s, broad jumps over 10 feet, and sub-seven-second three-cone times.
MORE: Dolloff’s Patriots Mock Draft 2.0
No one player would ever fit these parameters perfectly, but it’s good to have these numbers to have a general idea of what Wolf is likely seeking in his next wide receiver pick. And there are wide receiver prospects who relatively fit the mold at every stage of the draft. Here’s a list of players to know throughout the 2024 draft class that would make sense as Wolf guys for the Patriots…
Early First Round: Rome Odunze, Washington
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 25: Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies scores a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Yes, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. (pictured earlier) would relatively fit as well, but he’d probably have to go at the No. 3 pick. The Patriots could feasibly trade back and get Odunze later in the top-10, if they opt to pass on a top quarterback prospect. They’d be landing arguably the second-best receiver prospect in the draft.
Odunze has the ideal build at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, with standout traits in the vertical (39 inches, 12th of 31 receivers at the Combine), three-cone drill (6.88, fourth), and shuttle (4.03 seconds, second). He gets high marks in his scouting reports for his play strength, hands, and body control.
That said, the Patriots would have to trade down and say no to one of the top quarterback prospects in order to land Odunze, and it’s a deep-enough class that they don’t NEED to target a receiver this high. But Odunze is one of the surest bets to step into the league as a legit No. 1 receiver.
Late First Round: Adonai Mitchell, Texas
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Texas Longhorns carries the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half of the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
If the Patriots decide to trade up into the bottom of the first round for a wide receiver, Mitchell represents one of their best bets to be available and fit what Wolf seeks. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, with high-end measurables in other categories.
The most eye-popping number for Mitchell is his 4.34 40-yard dash, which was third among all receivers at the Combine. That would be a plus for Wolf. But he was also a high performer in the vertical (39.5 inches) and broad jump (11 feet 4 inches). He’s noted for his short-area quickness to pair with his speed, and a strong catch radius.
What appears to have dropped Mitchell from the top half to the bottom half of the first round is a relative lack of consistency. But the talent is certainly there, and he’d probably be the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver right away.
Second Round: Xavier Legette, South Carolina
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 16: Xavier Legette #17 of the South Carolina Gamecocks makes a reception as Malaki Starks #24 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends during the first half at Sanford Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Here, we get to the most realistic spot for the Patriots to draft a wide receiver, at the 34th overall pick. Legette is generally projected to go anywhere from the mid-30s to the mid-40s in the second round.
Legette has ideal size at 6-foot-1 and a beefy 221 pounds, with an excellent 4.39 40 time and 40-inch vertical to go with it. Those measurables should make for good separation ability to go with strong hands.
The knock on Legette appears to center around his route-running and ability (or lack thereof) to get off press coverage at the line of scrimmage. He may be a guy who depends too much on winning jump-balls. But he has physical tools that you can’t teach, with the potential to be molded into a more well-rounded receiver on top of being a dependable big-play guy.
Third Round: Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Ja’Lynn Polk #2 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Polk has prototypical Wolf size at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, with the hands and body control to be a good contested catch guy at the NFL level. His relative lack of play speed and quickness (4.52-second 40 time) may give Patriots fans N’Keal Harry vibes, which is of course less than ideal.
But as a prospect who should be available somewhere around the 68th pick, Polk would represent an intriguing addition for the boundary in a receiver room that needs size and athleticism on the outside. His size and pure catching ability seem to give him the floor of a complementary big-play piece.
Fourth Round: Brenden Rice, USC
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans runs the ball after a reception during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Rice could slip to the Patriots at the 103 overall pick, or he may need to be targeted with a trade-up to the end of the third round. Either way, he has traits that should draw the interest of Wolf and the Patriots.
The son of Jerry Rice (yes, it’s true) stands at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, and plays a strong, physical brand of football on the outside. His lack of speed and quickness makes him a late-day-2 or early-day-3 pick and possibly a No. 2-or-3 receiver at best, but he would certainly have a chance to play a lot in New England and develop into a solid starter.
Fifth Round: Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 02: Cornelius Johnson #6 of the Michigan Wolverines plays against the East Carolina Pirates at Michigan Stadium on September 02, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Johnson has excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, and ran a pretty good 40 for his size (4.44 seconds). The reason he’s projected to go on day 3 is his sloppy route-running. But his play strength and physical nature will earn him a spot on an NFL roster, and he’d be an interesting project for the Pats.
Sixth/Seventh Round: Bub Means, Pittsburgh
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Bub Means #0 of the Pittsburgh Panthers carries the ball as Marlowe Wax #2 of the Syracuse Orange defends during the first half at Yankee Stadium on November 11, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Today’s game marks the 100th anniversary of the contest played at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Means is one of the more intriguing day-3 prospects, thanks to his combination of size (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) and speed (4.43 40 time). Interestingly enough for the Patriots, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein describes Means as a guy who could excel in a West Coast offense, which is expected to be the system under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. His techniques need work, and he may only fit in certain schemes, but with the Patriots he would fit.
UDFA: Jalen Coker, Holy Cross
Holy Cross’s Jalen Coker hauls in a pass for a first down over Merrimack’s Darion McKenzie in the third quarter Saturday at Fitton Field. (Syndication: Worcester Telegram)
We finish things off with a local kid. Coker played at Holy Cross in Worcester, and excelled against lower-level competition. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, and the best vertical (42.5 inches) on this list. It’s fair to wonder how Coker will fare against NFL defenses, but he knows how to play the position and would make a lot of sense as a camp addition for New England.
