The 2020 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Kyle Dugger 2020 NFL Draft profile.
Background
Position:Â Safety
Size: 6-foot-1, 217 pounds
Class:Â Redshirt Senior
2019 stats:Â 31 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU-y3bnFaNQ
Not all top draft prospects come from the Division II level, but Kyle Dugger has impressed enough to get the attention of NFL scouts. Now that his college career is completed, Dugger is one of the top safeties in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He redshirted his first year on campus in 2014, but started as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He finished the 2015 season with 43 total tackles and four interceptions. After getting injured one game into the 2016 season, Dugger received a medical redshirt. He returned to the starting lineup in 2017 with 87 total tackles, one interception and seven passes defended. As a redshirt junior in 2018, he had 76 total tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes defended, while leading the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears to the Division II Playoffs. The team returned to the playoffs this season, with Dugger totaling 31 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended in seven games played.
Dugger played lesser competition, but played so well that he stood out. He is currently projected to be picked on the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Dugger is one of the most athletic safeties in the draft. He looked like a man among boys at the Division II level. His size, speed and overall athletic ability is among the best in the class. He stands 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, but still managed to run a 4.49 40-yard dash. His explosiveness also showed up on tape, but he also had a 42-inch vertical leap.
He has very good versatility to be able to help the team in a variety of ways. Dugger has the range to play deep safety. He can be left alone on an island in a deep zone and still do well. Dugger can also come up and play in the box to help stop the run. His versatility will help him stay on the field in all situations for an NFL team.
His ball skills are also an asset. Dugger stays close enough to make a play on the ball and has excellent closing speed. He can swat the ball or pick it out of the year. In his time at Lenoir-Rhye, he had 10 interceptions and 36 passes defended. He has the capability to return it to the end zone after picking off passes.
Weaknesses
The level of competition is going to come into question for every team looking at drafting Dugger. Playing in Division II, Dugger was better than all of his competition. At the NFL level, he’ll be going up against elite athletes week in and week out and will need to prove that he can hold up against the top-tier competition.
Injuries have piled up for Dugger over his college career. He missed the entire 2016 season and half of the 2019 season. With players being bigger and stronger in the NFL, Dugger needs to show he is durable.
Dugger needs to improve his football IQ and awareness. He can lose people in coverage and isn’t quick to figure out what play an opposing offense is running. An NFL coach will need to work with him to help him understand offenses and to become more aware of what is going on around him.
Projected Draft Range:Â Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Make sure to check out our brand new NFL Draft page for more content!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!