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.

The New England Patriots have officially signed rookie safety Craig Woodson, selected in the fourth round of the draft from the University of California. The details of his contract remain undisclosed. Woodson concluded his collegiate career with impressive statistics, including 70 tackles and one interception in his last season.

Despite initial skepticism regarding the Patriots selecting another safety, Woodson has made a strong impression during spring practices. His instinctive play could allow him to thrive under the mentorship of experienced veterans Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, and he may even challenge Dugger for playing time as the season progresses.

The New England Patriots are poised for a transformative 2025 season under new head coach Mike Vrabel, as they consider several surprising roster cuts to reshape their identity. With franchise quarterback prospect Drake Maye in sight, the team is evaluating its depth chart, especially in a crowded wide receiver room. Standout receiver DeMario Douglas, despite his quick-twitch abilities, could be in jeopardy due to the influx of talent, including Stefon Diggs and rookie Kayshon Boutte.

Moreover, linebacker Jahlani Tavai may be at risk as well, given the team's focus on speed and coverage ability in their revamped defensive scheme. Lastly, even fan-favorite Kyle Dugger might find himself on the bubble as the Patriots' safety corps undergoes a significant overhaul. These potential moves reflect a broader strategy of cost management and fit, emphasizing Vrabel's push for a new team identity.