Reporter Says Patriots Defensive Back Could Be A ‘Surprise Cut’

Cole Strange isn’t the only big-name player who could be cut by the New England Patriots this summer, according to Khari A. Thompson of The Boston Globe.

The sports reporter wrote about “5 possible candidates for a surprise cut” on Tuesday, and along with Strange, listed wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Kendrick Bourne, as well as linebacker Jahlani Tavai and safety Kyle Dugger.

The sixth-year defensive back is a particularly interesting case.

“Dugger hasn’t looked like the same player since he signed his contract extension,” Thompson wrote. “Last season was the first time since his rookie year that he did not record an interception. His numbers were down almost across the board last year compared to 2023.”

Dugger set career highs with 109 tackles and five quarterback hits during the 2023 season, before cashing in with a four-year, $58 million contract extension last April. Dugger then missed time due to an ankle injury last season and was limited to a career-low 13 contests, though he also posted a career-high eight tackles for loss, as well as four passes defended.

The 2020 second-round pick plunged out of ESPN’s top-10 positional rankings for NFL safeties in July and has had an eventful training camp.

It was recently reported that Dugger was playing with New England’s second-string defense on Sunday, further indicating that his roster spot could be in jeopardy.

“Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Wilson have seen an uptick in first-team reps recently,” Thompson wrote. “Dugger would be a very expensive backup if that’s the route that this coaching staff chooses to go in, having just signed a four-year deal worth up to $58 million. But, if there’s a team that can afford to eat the cost of a pricey cut while they figure out how to move forward with younger players, it’s the Patriots.”

While Dugger’s status has become murkier than ever in recent days, Thompson added that the 29-year-old still “has a nose for creating turnovers and last year seemed like a bit of an outlier.” The Boston Globe scribe added that as a team captain, Dugger is “respected in the locker room” and the Georgia native’s “work ethic is remarkable.”

Dugger made one tackle during the Patriots’ first preseason game last Friday against the Washington Commanders.

The next week will certainly be interesting for Patriots fans and multiple prominent players on the roster bubble.