Locks: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu
Bubble: Jaylinn Hawkins, Josh Bledsoe
In the Mix: Dell Pettus
The Patriots re-signed Kyle Dugger to a four-year deal this offseason, locking up one of the best young safeties in the game. Dugger and Jabrill Peppers will again form the core of the safety group which ranks among the best in the NFL with both Dugger and Peppers coming in among PFF’s best safeties in the league.
"Yeah, we have a good safety group," observed Jerod Mayo this spring. "We have versatility back there. We have safeties that can play linebacker. We have safeties that can play in the deep parts. It's going to be a very competitive group."
Even without Devin McCourty on the back end, Dugger still played over 600 snaps close to the line of scrimmage. His free safety snaps did spike from just 82 in 2022 to 371 in 2023, yet his playmaking numbers showed little drop-off while Dugger set a career-high with 109 total tackles.
Jabrill Peppers also played more on the back end (424 free safety snaps) but also found a way to keep making an impact, picking up two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack. Fully recovered from a 2021 knee injury, Peppers has emerged as a defensive leader who provides a spark.
Beyond the top duo, expectations are high for second-year player Marte Mapu, who blurred the lines between safety and linebacker even further than previous players like Dugger. While some questions remains as to where Mapu fits best, he was heavily involved in the spring and figures to get ample opportunity to join the mix on a full-time basis with Dugger and Peppers.
"When we scouted Marte, it was kind of going back and forth between, let's say a big slot corner, a bigger safety, or smaller linebacker," said Mayo this spring. "That versatility is still in play. He's done both of them throughout the spring. I don't know how much—I guess it would depend on the team. Like, if we're playing a heavy run team, you don't want to have a 220-pound linebacker in there. But, he's one of those guys that, he understands the defense conceptually. Very smart guy and his versatility will definitely get him on the field."
Jaylinn Hawkins will be one to watch in training camp. A four-year veteran with 25 career starts with the Falcons and Chargers, Hawkins was heavily involved on defense during OTAs and offers more of a pure free safety fit for the defense. Hawkins could make an ideal complement to Dugger and Peppers, allowing the talented duo to spend even more time in the box where they make their biggest impacts.
Josh Bledsoe and undrafted rookie Dell Pettus round out the group, providing depth. Bledsoe has three game appearances over his first two seasons but is well-versed in the Patriots defense and is often a seamless practice contributor who shows some flashes. Pettus is a Troy product that made his living as an undersized strong safety in college. Special teams will be key for him and Bledsoe to make a roster push, but with the way the team values safeties both could have practice squad potential if things go right.
Safety is a position of strength for the Patriots defense and one of its key features. Dugger and Peppers should lead the way but Mapu and Hawkins could emerge as significant contributors.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
