Patriots 53-man Roster Projection: Kyle Dugger Earns Spot After Finishing Strong

Patriots 53-man roster projection: Kyle Dugger earns spot after finishing strong originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

FOXBORO — As Mike Vrabel trotted off the field at halftime of his team’s preseason finale, he mentioned to Amazon Prime’s Kaylee Hartung that he wanted Drake Maye to have some “attention-getting moments” as a leader.

Vrabel has been urging Maye to show leadership at every possible turn throughout the young quarterback’s second training camp. He clarified his halftime comments during a press conference on Friday, explaining that he wants Maye to garner the attention of his teammates — in a style that is his own — when he addresses them.

“We talked about his leadership,” Vrabel said, “of whatever your personality is, right? As a quarterback, you have to, when you talk to the players on that team or on the offense specifically, you have to do it in a manner that gets their attention…

“That’s always what I’ve said. Not asking you to talk like I do, or anybody else, but the way that you talk to the players on the field, you have to do it in a manner that gets their attention. ‘Hey, I need you here. I need you to do this. This is what we have to do.’ That was my reference.”

Whenever Vrabel and his staff determine the 53-man roster — the deadline for cuts is Tuesday — Maye will have an opportunity to lead a much smaller group. And Vrabel will be watching to see how he holds their attention.

Let’s get to how that 53-man roster may look next week.

Quarterback (2): Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs

No surprises here. Ben Wooldridge has been released and could be a candidate to return on the practice squad.

Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson

This group is talented but thin. JaMycal Hasty could be the fourth here, but as a late-camp signee, he feels like the kind of player who could make his way back onto the roster via the practice squad.

Wide receiver (6): Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism III

Javon Baker doesn’t make the cut in this projection. As a wideout, he hasn’t produced this preseason. His path to the roster, if they want to keep him, would be special teams. He helped force a fumble as a gunner, and Vrabel mentioned on Friday that he’s grown in that role.

“I think you look at the entire body of work,” Vrabel said, “and I think you try to evaluate everything, not just the special teams, but what else can they do? And in Javon’s case, he’s a wide receiver, and I think the more that he does the special teams, I think the better that he’s gotten, and he’ll understand how he can use his play strength, his speed, some of the receiving tools and fundamentals as a gunner, potentially.

“You know, we tried to get him some reps at corner yesterday on a punt return. He’s played on the kickoff for us. And you know, those are new, especially for a young player who’s played receiver most of his life. So, I think that the more that he’s done it, the more comfortable that he’s gotten and we’ll continue to evaluate him.”

Tight end (3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover

Westover could be left off here in favor of another bottom-of-the-roster player at a different position, but he’s been the team’s fullback since the start of camp. Seems as though Josh McDaniels would really like to have a fullback. Westover hasn’t been dominant in that role, but just to keep those packages alive — there aren’t many fullbacks out there anymore — then perhaps Westover would be kept.

Offensive line (8): Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu, Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson, Will Campbell, Marcus Bryant, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe

There is a group of seven here that feels locked in. After that? Uncertainty. The Patriots could use more tackle depth, which is why Lowe makes it. But if that depth comes via trade or the waiver wire, that would come as little surprise.

Special teams (3): Parker Romo, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby

In back-to-back weeks Andy Borregales has missed kicks. In Minnesota, it wasn’t totally on him — the snap wasn’t perfect — but he was onto the field late. In New Jersey, he simply pushed a 49-yarder wide right. Romo appears to be the more ready-to-go option.

Defensive tackle (5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Jeremiah Pharms, Joshua Farmer

This is another group that’s thin, but if they want to keep some extra help, they could probably do so on the practice squad.

Edge defender (7): Harold Landry III, Keion White, K’Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Truman Jones, Anfernee Jennings

With fewer bodies at defensive tackle, that may allow the Patriots to hold onto more outside linebackers. Ponder and Swinson feel like developmental options. Jennings has felt like he has a tenuous hold on a roster spot, but he’s clearly an active-roster-caliber player. Whether his roster spot is with the Patriots or someone else is the question.

Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu

Mapu has struggled to stay on the field consistently since his arrival as a third-rounder in 2023. But when he’s available, it seems as though Vrabel wants Mapu to win a job. He was the personal protector on the top punt team in practice this week.

Tavai is an interesting fit as well. He hasn’t been healthy enough to practice this summer, but Vrabel gave him the compliment of calling him “a football player” on Monday. He could fit both at inside or outside linebacker.

“Yeah, there’s versatility to his game,” Vrabel said. “I think, always, since he’s been in this league, he’s been able to – he’s a football player. He’s a defensive football player. He’s instinctive, he’s got good size, plays with his hands, can play multiple positions in the kicking game, and just has to just get back and hopefully try to be evaluated here sooner rather than later.”

Cornerback (6): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James, Brandon Crossley

Crossley isn’t a next-level athlete, and he’s not an imposing figure on the outside (5-foot-11, 185 pounds). But he’s had a nose for the football throughout camp, and one of the foundational tenets of Vrabel’s program is to have players who can create “ball disruption.” As a developmental player, the undrafted rookie out of SMU has some intriguing qualities. 

Keeping Crossley, who likely wouldn’t suit up for a game in the near future given how he’s been used in practices, is indicative of the fact that this roster simply doesn’t have 53 ready-made players at the moment. In determining their initial roster, they’ll have to identify some young pieces they hope could turn into contributors at some point.

Safety (5): Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Kyle Dugger

It’s a low bar, but Kyle Dugger might’ve been the best player on the field for the Patriots in the preseason finale. He could still be dealt to a team that views him as more of a scheme fit. But — as is the case with Jennings — he’s still an NFL-caliber player on a roster that could use as many as it can get its hands on. 

Vrabel said on Thursday night he thought Dugger’s positive qualities “showed up.”

“I think he’s continued to take advantage of the opportunities and the reps,” Vrabel said. “I think he’s feeling more comfortable. We talked about a long rehab process in the offseason that he committed to. It wasn’t a quick rehab process. I mean, he had surgery.

“I think that he’s gotten better. I think he’s improved. I think he’s feeling better. Looks like he’s feeling better on tape. That’s good to see. Those are all positive things. Making a play, two interceptions (in preseason). I thought he flashed. I thought he triggered. I thought he tackled. I thought his length showed up.”