And so it begins. My annual positional previews start today as we inch our way toward the start of training camp and real football — the kind played with helmets, pads, and passion.
Safeties: Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Marcus Epps, Brenden Schooler, Josh Minkins.
What I Like About This Group: Versatility, a couple of the veterans (Dugger and Peppers) have played A-/B+ football not too long ago), and competition.
What I Dislike About This Group: Devin McCourty would probably be this team's best free safety as of right now. He hasn't played football in two years.
X-Factor: Woodson (more below).
The Patriots are taking their time with Dugger as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. Considering how much he struggled last year, especially as he tried to play through the injury, this makes perfect sense. I know the new coaching staff would have loved to have all their players out there in the spring, but what matters most is what's coming. A considerable amount of money is invested in Dugger. While I've never thought he was that *kind* of player, he has his strengths, and Mike Vrabel/Terrell Williams need to highlight that.
Dugger is at his best closer to the line of scrimmage. He is blunt force trauma disguised in a 6-foot, 215-pound frame. When you consider the speed that this scheme values at the linebacker level, seeing Dugger act some in that role is not only welcome but advisable. That is also beneficial in pass coverage. Let the 29-year-old handle the underneath stuff with the tight end or running backs, and get out into the flat and make some plays (9 interceptions from 2021-2023).
Like Dugger, Peppers had a forgettable year under Jerod Mayo, but for different reasons. Now free of those off-field concerns, there were very few players who were as vocal as the veteran safety was this spring. Peppers didn't stop talking, be it to fellow defenders or to offensive skill players who strayed a little too close to him. If you want a tone-setter, Peppers jumps to the head of the line.
When you consider Vrabel's history in Tennessee - Kevin Byard was a menace - could Peppers fill a similar role, be it in the deep third on one play and then blitzing on the next? I can envision it. Peppers was the Pats' best or second-best defender two years ago (Christian Barmore was the other). I like this fit and his potential to rediscover that form.
Perhaps no player opened my eyes more this spring than Woodson. He changes direction easily, and I saw that short-area burst to break on receivers and/or the football. The rookie 4th rounder out of California looked like he belonged from day one. The volume will only increase come July, and there's always the potential for mental overload, which can slow down the kid, but Woodson has handled all that was thrown at him up to this point. I don't see him as a nickel, but if he keeps moving in this direction, I won't rule it out, either.
Epps is progressing in his return from a torn ACL, and he moved well enough in May to give me reason to think he has a chance to be ready for week one. If not, that could provide some veteran insurance post-PUP (if that's where he ends up). Epps was Josh McDaniels' captain in 2023 with Vegas, and is much more of a traditional deep safety than the previous three players I have written about, although not without box/slot versatility (640 snaps at FS, 235 box, 120 slot in '23).
The first thing that stands out about Hawkins is his contract. There's nothing there that screams, "he's on the team." However, it's not like he's a bad player. In fact, I thought he more than held his own, playing well over 600 snaps out of necessity because of the Dugger injury and all the Peppers stuff. Hawkins is more physical than I gave him credit for, and he rarely busted a coverage. He's also a core special teamer. The more the league continues to reinflate the kickoff return, the more having those guys matter.
I like Pettus. If Epps makes the team, is that at the expense of Hawkins or in addition to? That would significantly reduce Pettus' opportunities to stick around, although he was a solid contributor on special teams (5th most snaps behind Schooler, Hawkins, Dial, and Elliss). The UDFA last year was one of the few young players who showed signs of growth under the previous regime, and, as I checked my notes, had his best games against divisional foes. I'm not sure what that means in the big picture, but in the short term, it's notable (at least to me).
Schooler played 51 snaps defensively last year. That was 48 more than his previous high. The Longhorn package had a couple of moments, and perhaps this new staff may eventually consider such a novelty. Still, Schooler's value is running down kicks like a man who loses his sanity for 7 seconds or so. Just keep doing that.
I can't say as I noticed Minkins this spring, but he's a five-year collegian and has played a fair amount of football. If he shows well enough, he could work his way onto the practice squad.
All in all, this is a sound group, and has the potential to be more than that.
