With their first selection of night two of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round with the 37th overall pick.
Dugger is a speedy player, running a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine and also has a history in the return game, with Dugger excelling as a punt-returner during his college career. Two of his best performances came in his junior and senior year respectfully, where he returned two punts for touchdowns twice in a single game.
He recorded 10 interceptions during his college career, including one he returned for a touchdown in the first defensive series of his senior season. He also accumulated 36 passes defended, as well as 6 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries.
Dugger appears to be a nice addition to a team that needs some depth and also was in need of some help in the punt return game. Last season saw New England thin in that department, with Mohammed Sanu handling returns last season as the team tried to take some of the load off of veteran Julian Edelman, who spent much of last season banged up.
His addition also gives them someone who has a tendency to be around the football, as he has a reputation of having terrific instincts, which is something they certainly need after the Patriots opted to clear some salary by trading away Duron Harmon during this offseason.
Barring a trade, the Patriots will next pick in the 3rd round with the 71st overall selection.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
