Kyle Dugger

Kyle Dugger was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (37th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Kyle Dugger was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (37th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2022 (15/15)

• Serves as one of the starting safeties
• Recorded five tackles, including two for a loss, in the season opener at Miami (9/11).
• Returned a kickoff for 37 yards in the second quarter at Pittsburgh (9/18). It was his first kickoff return since his rookie season in 2020. Saw time in the defensive back position and was in position to defend a pass which fell incomplete on third down to force Pittsburgh to punt on their opening drive.
• Was inactive for the home opener vs. Baltimore (9/25) due to injury.
• Returned to action at Green Bay (10/2). Started the game and had thee total tackles (2 solo, 1 assist).
• Part of the defensive unit that pitched a shutout vs. Detroit (10/9), who entered the game with the top-ranked offense in the NFL. Recovered a fumble that was forced on a 13-yard sack by LB Matthew Judon and returned the ball 59 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It is the fourth-longest fumble return in team history. It is Dugger's first career touchdown. It was the first fumble returned for a touchdown by the Patriots since LB Dont'a Hightower returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown vs. Cleveland on Oct. 27, 2019.
• Led the team in tackles with eight total (6 solo, 1 assist) at Cleveland (10/16). Made his first interception of the season, on the opening drive of the game. He had four last season. Part of the defensive unit that held Cleveland, who entered the game with the top ranked rushing attack, to 70 rushing yards. It was the first time this season the Browns had less than 170 rushing yards.
• Left the game vs. Chicago early in the second half due to injury (10/24).
• Was inactive at N.Y. Jets (10/30) due to injury.
• Returned to action and the starting lineup vs. Indianapolis (11/6). Dugger and DB Myles Bryant combined on a tackle on third down to force a Colts punt. Part of the defensive unit that forced the Colts to go 0-for-14 on third down and allowed just 121 total yards of offense.
• Registered his first career sack when he dropped Jets QB Zach Wilson for a 8-yard loss in the fourth quarter vs. N.Y. Jets (11/20). Had 6 total tackles (3 solo, 3 assist) including one on third-and-1 for a 2-yard loss to force a Jets punt. Was part of the defensive unit that held the Jets to just 103 total yards, the third-fewest yards allowed in Patriots history, only two total yards in the second half, the fewest ever allowed in a half in Patriots history, only six first touchdowns and no touchdowns.
• Led the team in total tackles with 9 (8 solo, 1 assist) at Minnesota (11/24)
• Had five solo tackles vs. Buffalo (12/1)
• Had eight total tackles (7 solo, 1 assist) at Arizona (12/12). Forced a fumble after a short reception by WR DeAndre Hopkins and LB Raekwon McMillan returned the ball 23 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was the fourth time the Patriots defense had scored this season. Part of the defensive unit that recorded six sacks, two takeaways, a touchdown and four fourth-down stops.
• Picked off a QB Derek Carr pass in the third quarter at Las Vegas (12/18) and returned it 13 yards for his second touchdown of the season. He returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown in the win vs. Detroit on Oct. 9. Dugger is the first Patriots defensive player with two touchdowns in a season since CB Stephon Gilmore in 2019. The Patriots have never had a defensive player finish with more than two touchdowns on defense in a season since 1970. In addition to the pick returned for a touchdown against the Raiders and the 59-yard fumble return vs. Detroit, Dugger forced a fumble after a short reception by WR DeAndre Hopkins and LB Raekwon McMillan returned the ball 23 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter at Arizona (12/12). The interception returned for a touchdown was the Patriots fifth time scoring on defense, tied with Arizona for the most in 2022.
• Had four total tackles (2 solo, 2 assist) vs. Cincinnati (12/24). Part of the defensive unit that has scored six times this season and three weeks in a row.
• Recorded five total tackles (3 solo, 2 assist) vs Miami (1/1) Scored his third touchdown of the season after returning a third quarter interception 39 yards for a touchdown. He is the first New England player since 1970 with three defensive touchdowns in a single season. He had a 59-yard fumble returned for a touchdown vs. Detroit on Oct. 9 and a 16-yard interception returned for a touchdown at Las Vegas on Dec. 18. The last NFL player with three defensive touchdowns in a season was Darius Slay of Philadelphia in 2021 with one interception returned for a touchdown and two fumbles returned for a touchdown. Has played a major role in four of the seven defensive touchdowns. In addition to his pick-six against Miami, he returned a pick 16 yards for a touchdown at Las Vegas, returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown vs. Detroit and forced a fumble that LB Raekwon McMillan returned 23 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter at Arizona.
• Had five total tackles (1 solo, 4 assist) at Buffalo (1/8).

2021 (15/13, 1/1)

• Played in 15 regular season games with 13 starts and finished with 84 tackles, four interceptions, five passes defensed, one fumble recovery and eight special teams tackles.
• Started nine games as a defensive back in the nickel defense and four games at safety.
• Missed the game at Buffalo (12/6) due to being on the Covid list and the game at Miami (1/9) due to injury.
• Started in his first playoff game in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15) and had four total tackles.
• Tallied a team-high 10 combined tackles as a starter in the nickel package at Houston (10/10).
• Registered his first career interception vs. Dallas (10/17) when he picked off QB Dak Prescott in the end zone in the second quarter off a deflected pass by DB Justin Bethel. Dugger returned the pick 29 yards to the New England 25yard line. He recorded eight tackles on the day.
• Recorded an interception for the second straight game when he intercepted a QB Mike White pass in the third quarter vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24). Also tallied a team-high eight tackles and one special teams tackle on the day.
• Posted a team-high six total tackles as a starter at L.A. Chargers (10/31). Stepped up on special teams as well due to injuries to LB Brandon King and LB Harvey Langi.
• Picked off his third pass of the season vs. Cleveland (11/14) when he caught a QB Baker Mayfield pass in the second quarter and returned it 37-yards to the Cleveland 5-yard line to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Rhamondre Stevenson on the very next play. Also had two special teams tackles on the day.
• Recorded a team-high six solo tackles at Atlanta (11/18) with one pass defensed and one special teams tackle as well. Played a major role in limiting Falcons TE Kyle Pitts to just three receptions for 29 yards.
• Combined for eight tackles and one special teams tackle vs. Tennessee (11/28). Recovered a fumble in the second quarter forced by DL Davon Godchaux.
• Placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Dec. 1 and activated from Reserve/COVID-19 list on Dec. 14.
• Registered an interception vs. Jacksonville (1/2) and recorded a 20-yard return to the 1-yard line to set up a Patriots touchdown.
• Inactive at Miami (1/9) due to injury.

2020 (14/7)

• Played in 14 games with seven starts in nickel defense and registered 59 tackles, one pass defended, and five special teams tackles Also returned two kickoffs for 47 yards.
• Made his NFL debut, appearing as a reserve at safety and on special teams, in the season-opening win over Miami 9/13)
• Appeared as a reserve safety, making three tackles and assisting on two others in a loss at Seattle (9/20). He returned his first NFL kickoff 30 yards in the first quarter.
• Appeared as a reserve safety vs. Las Vegas (9/27) and played a major role in helping limit Raiders TE Darren Waller to two receptions for 9 yards. Made one tackle and returned a kickoff 17 yards in the fourth quarter.
• Appeared as a reserve at defensive back in a Week 4 loss at Kansas City. Recorded four total tackles. Combined to make five tackles, including four unassisted in a Week 6 loss vs. Denver (10/18). Denver QB Drew Lock was 0 of 7 on throws in the end zone, was in coverage for three of those attempts.
• Was inactive Week 7 vs. San Francisco (10/25) and week 8 at Buffalo (11/1) due to injury.
• Returned to action after missing two games due to injury in a Week 9 win vs. the Jets (11/9). Made one assisted tackle with Terez Hall in the third quarter.
• Made his first NFL start week 10 vs. Baltimore (11/15) when the Patriots opened in nickel defense. He led the team with 12 tackles.
• Was part of the starting lineup in a Week 11 loss at Houston (11/22). Compiled six total tackles including one for a two yard loss on Texans tight end David Johnson in the first quarter.
• Started for the third straight week as part of a Week 12 win vs. Arizona (11/29)/ Made four total tackles. Played a key role in limiting Arizona to 298 net yards. They entered the game with the NFL's top ranked offense, averaging 414.3 yards per game and it was their second lowest output of the season to the 262 yards at Carolina on Oct. 4.
• Was in nickel defense in Week 13 win at the Chargers (12/6). Racked up five total tackles including three solos.
• Was a starter at safety in a Week 14 loss at the Rams. Totaled three tackles.
• Started at safety and made four tackles in a Week 15 loss at Miami (12/22). Also posted a special teams tackle on second quarter kickoff.
• Appeared in a reserve role at safety in a Week 16 loss vs. Buffalo (12/28). Mae four total tackles and added one special teams stop.
• Started at safety and notched five solo tackles in a Week 17 win vs. the Jets (1/3). Added one assist on special teams tackle.

CAREER NOTES

• Appeared in just seven games as a senior in 2020 but was impactful enough to win the Cliff Harris Award, which is given to the best defensive player in NCAA Division II.
• Is the only player in school history to have two games with two punt returns for touchdowns.
• Finished as the school's all-time leader in punt-return yards.

COLLEGE

• Appeared in 42 games during his career at Lenoir-Rhyne and totaled 237 tackles, 10 interceptions, 36 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
• Also returned 67 punts for a school-record 929 yards and six touchdowns.
• Despite playing in just seven games due to injury as a senior in 2019, Dugger was impactful enough to win the Cliff Harris Award, given to the best defensive player in NCAA Division II. Was also named a D2Football.com First Team All-American while the AFCA and D2CCA awarded him Second Team All-American honors.
• Became the only player in Lenoir-Rhyne history to have two games with punt returns for touchdowns.
• Was named First Team All-South Atlantic Conference at both defensive back and return specialist as a junior in 2018.
• Named to the Second Team All-Conference as a redshirt sophomore in 2017.
• Earned a medical redshirt in 2016.
• Started 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2015 and led the team with six passes defensed, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Was named South Atlantic Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year.
• Redshirted as a freshman in 2014.

PERSONAL

• Attended Whitewater High School, where he lettered two years in both football and basketball.
• Recorded 80 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed. Earned First-Team All-County and All-County Honorable Mention honors in basketball.

EXTRA POINTS

• Kyle Dugger is the first Patriots player to be drafted out of Lenoir-Rhyne and with the 37th overall pick, he is also the highest drafted player ever from Lenoir Rhyne. He is also the highest drafted defensive back from a Division II school since S Danieal Manning was drafted by Chicago in 2006 in the second round out of Abilene Christian.
• Dugger won the 2019 Cliff Harris Award given to the best defensive player in NCAA Division II.