Young Patriots Safety Reveals Lessons Kyle Dugger Taught Him

The New England Patriots could deploy Dell Pettus this week when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Despite New England sitting atop the AFC East, the Patriots traded veteran safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. After Pettus signed with New England as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, Dugger took him under his wing.

Pettus got to pick Dugger’s brain, and after the trade, he was thankful for everything he learned from the former second-round pick.

“I really learned how to be a professional. How to study,” Pettus said to MassLive in a piece published on Thursday. “That was one thing that he helped me out a lot with my first year – how he studied. I watched him prepare.

“He was somebody who always knew the answer, somebody who was always prepared, always in the right place. Stuff like that, I watched him at practice, see how he went about things, how he carried himself. Really, being a professional.”

Pettus appeared in all 17 games in his rookie season and has appeared in all eight games this season. He’s recorded 10 tackles and one forced fumble, and could be in line for more snaps following the Dugger trade.

If Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel does call on Pettus to play more, he’s ready and excited for the opportunity.

“I don’t think it changes anything about my day-to-day life or preparation,” Pettus said. “I always try to prepare as if I was going to play and be ready for my opportunities just like I have been this entire season. It doesn’t really change much for me because I’ve always had the same mindset.”

New England projects to start Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson at safety on Sunday against Atlanta.