NFL Free Agency: Could Washington Commanders Sign New England Patriots' Kyle Dugger?

Should the Commanders offer Patriots safety Kyle Dugger a contract in free agency?

Kyle Dugger. / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders defense has undergone some massive changes this offseason, but could the team have another free agency move hidden up its sleeve?

Safety Kyle Dugger is one of the top free agents remaining on the market, and joining the Commanders could be an under-the-radar move that benefits both parties.

Kyle Dugger. / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round in 2020, Dugger has been a member of the Patriots, and last year, he had the best season of his young career to date. 

Dugger finished his fourth season with the Patriots, having started 17 games, which is the most of his career thus far. In those games, he recorded 109 total tackles, six tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions. 

Over the past three seasons, Dugger has averaged 93 tackles, six tackles for loss, three interceptions, one touchdown, seven pass deflections, three quarterback hits, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. However, the Patriots placed him on a transition tag this offseason, so if a team like the Commanders offered him a contract that New England refuses to match, the team could still land him.

“Dugger could flourish in the nation's capital, anchoring a secondary that needs all the help it can get as the team rebuilds,” BR writes in a story naming the Commanders as his most likely landing spot. “Upgrading the safety spot should be a priority for Washington's new regime. Neither Percy Butler nor Darrick Forrest—the team's projected starters—have flashed as much upside or skill as Dugger early in their respective careers.”

Spotrac estimates that Dugger will earn approximately $16.5 million annually on his next contract, an increase from the $13.8 million he's set to make on the transition tag.

Washington has the second most available cap space at $43.9 million, making the franchise a prime candidate to sign him, especially considering that new head coach Dan Quinn has a defensive background that could utilize his talents well with players like Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Chinn who both joined in free agency.

Once a small school standout at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University, Dugger now has an opportunity to sign his first big NFL contract, and the Commanders could be the team to make him the offer.