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.