The New England Patriots executed a series of major roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, securing a key player while parting with two notable defenders. The team signed slot cornerback and punt returner Marcus Jones to a three-year, $36 million extension and then traded defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers and safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both trades involved a swap of late-round draft picks.
To fill the void left by Dugger, sources indicate the Patriots plan to sign rookie safety John Saunders Jr. off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad to their 53-man roster.
These moves come as the Patriots (6-2) surprisingly sit in first place in the AFC East, ahead of the five-time defending division champion Buffalo Bills (5-2). The flurry of activity marks the latest instance of first-year head coach Mike Vrabel shaping the roster to fit his vision.
The departures of White and Dugger are directly linked to their fit in Vrabel’s new defensive scheme. Both players were considered ideal for the system used by former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo but have seen their roles diminish this season. Vrabel’s defense prioritizes edge-bending defensive ends and versatile safeties who can play multiple positions.
White, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound power rusher, was relegated to a backup role behind more agile ends like Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson, with his playing time dropping to just 25.9% of defensive snaps. Dugger, primarily a box safety valued for his play near the line of scrimmage, lost his starting job as his skill set was not a primary feature of the new scheme.
While the immediate draft compensation was modest, the trades provide the Patriots with significant long-term financial flexibility. Moving Dugger’s contract removes his $10.75 million base salary in 2026 and $11.75 million in 2027, along with an additional $1.5 million in roster bonuses each year. In White’s case, the trade resolves a situation with a player who was a healthy scratch in Week 8 and had previously expressed indifference about his demotion.
With their first-place standing, the Patriots are now expected to be buyers rather than sellers. The team is reportedly targeting a running back and a veteran pass rusher, and now has additional draft capital to facilitate potential deals. The team also elevated running back Terrell Jennings to the active roster and added two more backs to the practice squad, filling the 53-man roster and requiring a corresponding move for any new trade acquisitions.
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