Kyle Dugger, S/LB, Lenoir-Rhyne
Dugger is the premier small-school prospect in this draft class. At just under 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds with 4.49 speed, a 42-inch vertical, and a 134-inch broad jump, the physical comparisons start at Derwin James. And the Division II product played a James-type role with James-type results on the field.
Mostly utilized as a free safety at Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger has range for days in coverage and good change-of-direction ability for someone his size to go along with the explosiveness he demonstrated at the combine. He flies up in run support, even between the tackles, and will get to the football on the outside.
Because of his size and length -- nearly 33-inch arms -- Dugger is a seam-throw stopper when running with tight ends, which might be his most valuable asset at the next level.
Many believe he's a linebacker in the NFL. I think he should be deployed as a back-end safety initially, but really, safeties, linebackers, and slot corners carry out many of the same responsibilities in the NFL today. The only noticeably ding on Dugger's draft profile is that he turns 24 later this month, but he has the instincts, towering physical presence, and athletic gifts to be a star in the NFL. He could sneak into Round 1 and is unlikely to get out of the second round.
