The Patriots turned in one final walk-through before the preseason finale, still in helmets and shoulder pads as competition remained fierce. Christian Barmore and Milton Williams anchored a disruptive interior that flashed the disruptive edge the team hoped to unlock this season. Drake Maye endured pressure from a stout front as pass protection continued to be a concern, with Ben Brown plugged into guard/center spots to stabilize the line. Keion White started hot but drifted to the second unit, while Robert Spillane piled up sacks and Jabrill Peppers added a sack as Terrell Williams leaned on blitzing from safety and corner. The kicking race between Andy Borregales and Parker Romo remained a coin flip, both thriving in a tight battle. Offense touched the ball as well with Henry, Hollins, Diggs, and Dobbs all contributing. A game plan rehearsal looms as New England heads to East Rutherford for the final tune-up.

Pass protection remained a narrative thread. Barmore and Williams consistently found disruption in the backfield, challenging Drake Maye and keeping the offensive line under pressure. Will Campbell and the rest of the line showed flashes, but the unit’s ability to keep Maye clean will be critical for the preseason and beyond. On defense, Spillane’s two-sack day followed a previous interception spree, signaling a potential high-volume role in the regular season. Peppers leveraged blitz opportunities, hinting at a more aggressive use of safeties in coverage and pressure packages. In the kicking duel, Borregales and Romo split the 4-for-4 mark, underscoring how evenly matched the competition remains as the roster edges toward Week 1 considerations.

Kyle Dugger is not guaranteed to start the season as the Patriots sort out their safety depth. Dugger has been relegated to second-team reps while he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, with Jabrill Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins taking prominent first-unit roles and Cal product Craig Woodson in the mix. Dugger’s mega extension remains, but health and progression will determine whether he remains a starter, becomes depth, or even is a trade candidate before roster cuts. The Patriots face a 53-man decision by late August as they balance cap considerations with on-field value.

Dugger finished 2024 with 81 tackles and a sack in 13 games after missing four games in 2024 due to the ankle, following a career-best 109 tackles in 2023. With a new coaching staff, depth moves like this aren’t shocking, but they signal how New England views Dugger at a pivotal preseason juncture. A potential move would hinge on dead money, team need, and the ability to land a partner who can offset his cap hit.

The New England safety room is becoming a compelling puzzle as roster decisions loom. Kyle Dugger’s status isn’t a guaranteed starter anymore, with Sunday practice showing him menging with the second string as coach Vrabel reshapes the unit. Peppers, Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson ran as the top three, a trio that pushed Dugger down the depth chart. Dugger’s four-year, $58 million extension from last year looms large, and teams could chase a trade or release to clear more than $10 million in cap space.

Hawkins has shined during camp and in the preseason opener, while Woodson has earned trust with solid tape and versatility. Peppers remains the veteran anchor, offering a blend of coverage and run support. The current pecking order—Peppers, Woodson, Hawkins—signals a multi-safety rotation that could shift again after cuts, making Dugger’s future in Foxboro uncertain and possibly creating impact moves for cap relief and roster balance.

Kyle Dugger’s binding Patriots tenure is under real test as training camp pace shifts away from him. After a four-year, $58 million deal, Dugger has started to lose ground to Craig Woodson in multiple drills and nickel looks, while Jabrill Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins line up as the top safeties. The Patriots still carry a hefty cap hit ($15.3 million) with guarantees remaining, but the team’s broader culture shift away from the dynasty era and a nearly $59 million cap cushion make a roster rethink plausible.

The shift isn’t just about allocations and money. Dugger, a long-tenured starter, now faces a potential tug-of-war between a veteran fit and a Day 3 rookie’s upside. With no-look defensive concepts and a defense that prize versatility, Dugger’s role could become more situational, pressuring fantasy value. The big-picture question remains whether Dugger can reclaim a large starting role or if New England will lean into Woodson’s growth and a reorganized back end.

For fantasy managers, the signal is caution: a diminished early-season role would sap Dugger’s tackle volume and big-play upside, while Peppers/Hawkins/Woodson stand to gain. If Dugger threads a comeback to a full-time role, he could regain value, but the path appears murkier amid the culture reset and the Patriots’ cap flexibility.

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers had a humorous reaction to a tweet announcing the retirement of former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams. Peppers voiced his feelings in a light-hearted manner, reflecting the camaraderie and humor that's often seen among NFL players. Williams, who was known for his exceptional athleticism and playmaking ability, had carved out a significant role during his career with the Chargers. His departure from the league leaves a notable gap for both the Chargers and fantasy football enthusiasts who had relied on his talents.

Fantasy managers now face the challenge of recalibrating their rosters, especially as the Chargers move forward without their star receiver. As the team reconfigures its offensive strategy in the wake of Williams' retirement, other receivers may see increased targets. Keep an eye on the Chargers' upcoming games to see how they adapt to this significant change.