ROUND 3: Lenoir-Rhyne SS Kyle Dugger
6-0, 217 – Senior

PREVIOUS PICK: Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt
PewterReport.com had Dugger in the fourth round of our previous 2020 Bucs’ 7-Round Mock Draft, but after a stellar showing at the Senior Bowl, he’s on every team’s radar and his stock is on the rise. In fact, Dugger may not last until the middle of the third round, but if he does Tampa Bay should pounce.

Despite Bucs general manager Jason Licht investing a draft pick in three safeties – Justin Evans, Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards – over the past three years, there isn’t a clear-cut starter at either safety spot. Dugger, who is considered to be one of the best small school sleepers in this year’s draft class, would make a great addition to Tampa Bay’s secondary.

Dugger was measured at just over 6-foot – nearly two inches shorter than his listed height on the initial Senior Bowl roster. But his arms measured nearly 33 inches and his 78-inch wingspan was the longest at the Senior Bowl of any defensive back. Dugger made a great impression on NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl and he was Pro Football Focus’s second-highest graded defender in the first two days of practice behind only Utah’s Bradlee Anae, who had three sacks in the Senior Bowl game.

Thoughout the week in Mobile, Dugger showed tremendous versatility. One play he was a single high safety playing centerfield. On the next play Dugger was in the box supporting the run. Then he would cover the tight end and shortly after he would line up in the slot and cover a receiver.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kyle Dugger is putting on a show. pic.twitter.com/3REKmo4Aw7

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 25, 2020

PICK! Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger makes the interception during one-on-one drills. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/nqbS438EyT

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2020

At 6-foot, 217 pounds, Dugger has impressive size suitable for the NFL, in addition to supreme athleticism, running a sub 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Those measureables, plus his production – Dugger had 237 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, 36 pass breakups, 10 interceptions, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two blocks at Lenoir-Rhyne – got him the well-deserved invitation to the Senior Bowl where he proved himself against much tougher competition.

In addition to being a fast, hard-hitting safety, Dugger is an amazing punt returner, scoring six times in college with a due to his speed, elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability. Tampa Bay’s punt return game could use an upgrade after averaging 8.9 yards per punt last year.

Dugger’s Lenoir-Rhyne Career Defensive Stats
2015: 43 tackles, 4 INTs, 10 PBUs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 2 blocks
2017: 87 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 7 PBUs, 2 FFs, 1 FR
2018: 76 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INTs, 13 PBUs, 2 FFs, 3 FRs
2019: 31 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs

Dugger’s Lenoir-Rhyne Career Punt Return Stats
2015: 4 returns for 23 yards (5.8 avg.), 1 TD
2017: 20 returns for 197 yards (9.9 avg.), 1 TD
2018: 31 returns for 534 yards (17.2 avg.), 2 TDs
2019: 12 returns for 175 yards (14.6 avg.), 2 TDs

Tampa Bay has several undersized safeties and Dugger would add some needed size to the secondary. Because of his small school background, Dugger might have to take a year or two to develop, but could star on special teams in the meantime. Yet with his intriguing skill set and his competitiveness to be successful on defense, Dugger will be a potential starter sooner rather than later.