This week, the Patriots took a step to try and reinforce their safety position.
On Tuesday, the team placed the transition tag on Kyle Dugger. This tag gives the Patriots the right to match any free agent offer that Dugger receives this offseason. This doesn’t guarantee that the safety will return as the Patriots don’t have to match an offer, but it does make it easier for the team to retain Dugger’s services.
Beyond Dugger, the Patriots could use more depth at safety.
Last year, the team leaned on Dugger and Jabrill Peppers to replace Devin McCourty. The team also utilized Jalen Mills as their third safety. Mills will also enter free agency and told MassLive he wants to go to a team where he can start.
“I think at the end of the day, it’s all about the opportunity of being a starter,” Mills said when asked if he wanted to return to the Patriots. “This year, I had to be a role player for the first time in my career. I feel like with the opportunities that I’ve gotten I’ve shown that I am a starter in this league at safety, which I was my last year in Philly. I think I was able to show that again, I can be a starter in this league and make plays and help a team win football games.”
The Patriots also have Joshuah Bledsoe and Marte Mapu on the roster. However, there’s a chance that Mapu is viewed as a linebacker with this new coaching staff.
If the Patriots don’t match an offer for Dugger and/or lose Mills, they might look in free agency for safety help. Here are five options that would help:
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Xavier McKinney
If the Patriots ultimately lose Dugger in free agency, they could turn to Xavier McKinney to replace the veteran. McKinney, 24, is three years younger than Dugger. Last season, he finished with 116 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three interceptions for the New York Giants. He’s also big enough to play in the box as a strong safety, but has the versatility to play deep as a free safety. McKinney wouldn’t be a bad replacement for Dugger – if the Patriots opt not to match a contract offer to their safety.
Kamren Curl
If the Patriots lose Dugger and want to replace him with a free safety, they could turn to Kamren Curl. The 25-year-old will arguably be the top deep safety on the free agent market. He’s made over 80 tackles in each of his first four NFL seasons. Last year, Curl finished with 115 tackles to go with dice pass breakups and three quarterback hits. He split his time at both free safety and strong safety last year in Washington. He’d be an option to reinforce the Patriots safety depth if they need more help.
Geno Stone
If the Patriots want to add a free safety who excels in pass coverage, Geno Smith would be the ideal candidate. A seventh-round pick by Baltimore in 2020, Stone had a career year last season. He finished with a whopping seven interceptions to go with 69 tackles. He mainly played the deep safety position for the Ravens. He’d make an interesting pair with Dugger or Jabrill Peppers.
Jordan Whitehead
If the Patriots want to add an experienced free safety, Jordan Whitehead would be a solid choice. The 26-year-old spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets after starting his career in Tampa Bay. He’s an experienced and productive free safety, having started 89-of-93 games over his first six NFL seasons. Whitehead finished with 97 tackles and four interceptions last season. He has versatility with the ability to play deep, in the box, and the slot.
Alohi Gilman
Another option for the Patriots when it comes to free safety is Alohi Gilman of the Los Angeles Chargers. He became a full-time starter last season for the first time in his NFL career. Gilman finished with 73 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defended. The 26-year-old excelled in coverage, earning an 89.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. That was the seventh-best grade among safeties in the NFL. He almost exclusively played deep safety last season.
