2020 NFL Draft: New England Patriots Draft Report Card
By Ian Higgins
Round 2
player. Instant Analysis. Combine Results. Lenoir-Rhyne. Kyle Dugger. 37. S. 47
A standout out in NCAA Division II football, Kyle Dugger is possibly the most athletically gifted player in this draft class. At a muscular 6-foot-1, 217 pounds, Dugger ran a 4.49 40, put up 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, and posted 42 and 134-inch jumps in the vertical and broad respectively. Dugger is an explosive player on the backend and will bring value not only to roaming the deep middle, but creeping down to the box and creating yardage on special teams.
Dugger will be loved immediately by Bill Belichick for his willingness to bring his high effort to the special teams unit and will fill a similar role to now Detroit Lions’ safety Duron Harmon working alongside current safeties Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty.
The two safeties only have two years left on their respective contracts, and Belichick needs to get this team younger with high-end athletic talent. Dugger’s only major concern following him will be his ability to transition from division two to NFL football, but he has the tools to do it.
Dynamic athletes at the safety position have become a common trend in NFL defenses (Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams, New York Jets third-round pick Ashtyn Davis, etc), and New England is still missing that common role with two aging safeties each with a rich history within the Patriots organization.
McCourty is a quality coverage safety and Chung is a gritty box safety, but Dugger is a player who can fill either role and excel with his playmaking ability. Dugger is the future of this secondary following Stephon Gilmore.
Grade: B
EDGE. Josh Uche. 60. Instant Analysis. Michigan. player. 47. Pick Analysis
In an un-Belichick like manner, the New England Patriots decide to trade up into the second round with the Baltimore Ravens to take possibly one of the best Patriot scheme fits in the 2020 NFL Draft class. When Bill Belichick trades up, especially this early into the draft, there is a player he loves.
Uche is a versatile outside linebacker who can fill a variety of roles from 4-3 defensive end to conservative edge defender in a 3-4. After losing both Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins to free agency, New England has a glaring need on the defensive edge and found the perfect player in the 2020 NFL draft.
Only measuring in at 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Uche may be smaller than most EDGE players, but he shows power and an elite first-step. Uche was able to take on a number of larger tackles in his senior year, matching power with power. Uche though relies upon his first step and active hand-fighting to lead his pass-rushing attack.
With elite quickness off of the snap, Uche can work his way to the outside hip of a tackle within the first two to three steps, and can then ward off reaching arms with strong pass-rush moves. Uche is also a player who can fill a number of other roles such as dropping into coverage or controlling the edge against the run.
Few players fit as an edge defender, especially the flashy speed rushers producing double-digit sack totals. Both Van Noy and Collins did their best work in New England’s defensive system with unique outside linebackers, and Uche comes in ready to play day one. Uche will fit into his role well and become the perfect cog to keep the machine that is the New England defense rolling.