A look at some safety prospects the Patriots might have their eyes on in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots managed to avert crisis as their safety position this offseason. While they did lose Jalen Mills in free agency, they used the transition tag to keep Kyle Dugger from entering the open market — all before eventually signing him to a four-year contract to make sure he keeps leading the room and the defense as a whole for the foreseeable future.
With Dugger locked up, the entire safety room is looking a lot better:
- Kyle Dugger (23) | Opening day age: 28 | Contract: Signed through 2027
- Jabrill Peppers (5) | Opening day age: 28 | Contract: Signed through 2024
- Marte Mapu (15) | Opening day age: 24 | Contract: Signed through 2026
- Jaylinn Hawkins (32) | Opening day age: 27 | Contract: Signed through 2024
- Joshuah Bledsoe (24) | Opening day age: 25 | Contract: Signed through 2024
- Brenden Schooler (41) | Opening day age: 27 | Contract: Signed through 2024
Dugger and Jabrill Peppers are one of the better starting safety duos in football. Add promising sophomore Marte Mapu, free agency pickup Jaylinn Hawkins and possible practice squad option Joshuah Bledsoe to the mix, and New England might be settled at the position.
However, outside of Dugger, Peppers, and core special teamer Brenden Schooler, there are question marks. Will Mapu develop into a suitable safety? Is Hawkins more than a kicking game presence? Do you have anything with Bledsoe?
Obviously, rookie additions would also need some projection. Nonetheless, New England might feel more comfortable — especially from a long-term perspective — with another youngster added to the mix. And there are quite a few possible targets available in this year’s draft, even if the Patriots do not want to spend a premium selection at safety.
Cole Bishop (Utah): Bishop is a versatile defensive back who offers good size and experience both playing downhill and guarding the deep portions of the field. His numbers reflect his ability to do multiple jobs: in three years as a Ute, the 21-year-old registered eight sacks and three interceptions. | Expected round: 3
Calen Bullock (USC): Bullock has some intriguing developmental traits as a true centerfield defender in the NFL — something the Patriots have lacked since Devin McCourty announced his retirement. While he probably needs time before he can become a three-down defender, his range and ball skills are already notable. | Expected round: 3
Kamren Kinchens (Miami): Another junior, Kinchens’ athleticism will be tested in the NFL. Despite some bad pre-draft testing, he has shown he can be a good deep safety and offers a knack for finding the football as well as a natural feel for the game. | Expected round: 3-4
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Texas Tech): Taylor-Demerson is a rangy and experienced defensive back who offers the speed, acceleration and quickness to serve as a sideline-to-sideline defender at the next level. His tackling is suspect, but he has all the tools to play a centerfield role at the next level. | Expected round: 4 | Draft profile
Jaylin Simpson (Auburn): Simpson weighing just 179 pounds at the Combine is a concern, and a reason why he will likely come off the board later than his body of work would suggest. The 24-year-old, after all, has solid ball production and combines it with good athletic traits. | Expected round: 4-5
Malik Mustapha (Wake Forest): Mustapha can best be described with one word: athleticism. He offers elite athletic traits, which should allow him to see the field quickly as a pro. There are questions about his lack of length and uneven play recognition, but the raw talent is undeniable. | Expected round: 4-5
Kitan Oladapo (Oregon State): While his range is limited, Oladapo has the size and physicality to carve out a role as a box safety at the next level. In addition, he could contribute as a core special teamer from Day 1. | Expected round: 5-6
Sione Vaki (Utah): A potential three-way contributor, Vaki might be the most versatile player in this year’s draft. At least early on his career, however, it would not be a surprise if he was used primarily as a rotational safety and special teamer more so than as a running back — something he did quite productively in just two years of college football. | Expected round: 5-6 | Draft profile
Dominique Hampton (Washington): The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Hampton brings good size to the equation and also offers a naturally versatile skillset: he can contribute both downhill and as a split safety, while also offering special teams upside. Inconsistency is an issue, but there are tools to work with. | Expected round: 5-6
Mark Perry (TCU): Perry, who split his college career between TCU and Colorado, is a positionally flexible safety capable of lining up deep, in the box, and in the slot. His ball production was lacking, but he is a naturally gifted athlete. | Expected round: 7-UDFA
Even though the Patriots may not wait until Day 3 to address the safety position — if they opt to do so at all — there are some intriguing targets available to complement the current personnel. With Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers atop the depth chart, they also have the luxury to invest in developmental players.
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