Patriots safety preview: Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers must return to form or this position will need to be addressed
3:
The number of defensive touchdowns scored by Dugger in his career. Only three players in Patriots history (Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest) have more.
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5:
According to Pro Football Focus, the number of positions — deep safety, strong safety, slot cornerback, defensive line, and outside cornerback — played by Woodson at Cal last season.
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The skinny:
With all the turnover on both sides of the ball the last 18 months, Dugger and Peppers feel like part of a bygone era. (Dugger, a second-round pick in 2020, is one of the last players on the roster to have played in a postseason game as a member of the Patriots.) But heading into 2025, both remain at the top of the depth chart.
That being said, both need to find a way back following uncharacteristically subpar seasons.
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The Patriots figure to get some help from Hawkins and Pettus, who provided good depth in 2024. Nicknamed 'The Eraser' in college, Woodson flashed positively during spring workouts and will almost certainly be a part of the mix. He was versatile at Cal but could ultimately be a fit at free safety if everything works according to plan. And Epps is part of the conversation, as well.
In the end, this is a position that will need to be addressed moving forward, as Peppers and Dugger are approaching 30. Their physical approach would have taken a greater toll on a lesser player, but if they can rebound, the possibility of a short-term return to the stability the duo has offered in the past is enticing, particularly as part of the new scheme installed by coach Mike Vrabel and
How does this position rate against the rest of the league?
Middle of the pack, with the chance to improve if Dugger and Peppers are back in form. There's plenty of good here, including the depth provided by Hawkins and Pettus. If Woodson is able to step in and play on a consistent basis, the ceiling for this group could reach even higher.
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Quote of note:
'I don't think anybody's really sorted out anything as far as roles on this football team yet. I like the people. I like the players. You haven't seen Dugger on the field just because he's working through something, which is not uncommon in the spring. I love Jabrill's energy. I like his passion for the game. I like his energy when he comes in the building. Those things are all very positive, and then the new players and the new additions are trying to carve out a role, as well.'
— Vrabel, speaking in May about the safeties.
Biggest story lines:
Can Dugger and Peppers rebound? Were the inconsistencies in Dugger's usually steady game last year solely the result of his ankle injury or the first sign of something more concerning? Could Woodson find a spot in the starting lineup as a rookie?
Christopher Price can be reached at
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