Patriots safety Kyle Dugger named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger finally got some recognition on Wednesday after earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
There is no better kept secret in football right now than New England's third-year defensive back, who Matthew Judon thinks is good enough to warrant a blank check contract extension.
PLAYOFF PUSH: Patriots keep playoff hopes alive with hard-fought win over Dolphins
This season, Dugger has 72 tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions and one sack.
Dugger doesn't just have the ability to be good in the league, but he has the ceiling of a perennial Pro Bowler and being recognized as one of the elite players at his position.
Just look at his performance against the Miami Dolphins, where he showcased his ability to do more than just drop the hammer on ball-carriers.
Dugger finished the game with five total tackles, two pass deflections and an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
He's a star in the making that can run laps around most defensive backs in the versatility department. Dugger has shown his versatility at safety, inside linebacker, and cornerback.
At the very least, he's doing a fine job of convincing the Patriots he's the caliber of player the franchise should be hitching itself to for years to come.