Kyle Dugger has had a stellar 2023 season, and one NFL analyst is singing his praises. ESPN’s Mina Kimes praised the New England Patriots defensive unit, and took note of Dugger while doing so.
Dugger is having a breakout year in which he has recorded 72 tackles, five tackles for a loss, a sack, three interceptions and three defensive touchdowns. He most recently tallied a pick-six against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, in what proved to be a momentum-shift.
He has been part of a New England defensive unit that has recorded 18 interceptions in total. That number is tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in the league. Dugger’s career-high for interceptions in a season is four, and that was set in 2021.
“I want to tell you guys where Kyle Dugger was lined up in this game,” Kimes said on ESPN’s “NFL Live” on Monday, per NESN’s Keagan Stiefel. “Sixteen snaps at safety, 25 at inside linebacker, seven at slot, three at outside [cornerback], twice on the defensive line. [The Dolphins] did not know where he was at any given moment, which, of course, is how you end up with a pick-six.
“… He’s turning into an absolute superstar. He is the swiss-army knife in this defense and he is arguably the biggest reason why they won this football game.”
Dugger’s emergence could be crucial as a future leader in the defensive backfield with veteran Devin McCourty aging. His versatility fits well in today’s modern NFL, and he could become an impact player for the Patriots defense for years to come.
