The New England Patriots had a very busy Tuesday night indeed. The frenzy started with the trading of 2023 2nd round draft pick Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers. Then, just 39 minutes later, the team sent 2020 2nd round draft pick Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now as the dust settles on the two big trades, the team is left with two holes in the roster that need to be filled.
The team elected to target the lineups most glaring need: safety depth.
“The Patriots are planning to sign rookie safety John Saunders Jr. off the Dolphins practice squad to fill a spot on their 53-man roster, per sources,” Patriots’ insider Mike Reiss announced in an X post. “Saunders (6-2, 211) played at Mississippi in 2024, leading the SEC in turnovers (3 INT, 4 forced fumbles) last season. Went undrafted.”
With Dugger gone, the active roster is down to just three safeties. Starters Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson, and back up Dell Pettus.
Turns out Saunders might be a hidden gem, according to Reiss he is a player that the Patriots have had their eyes on for some time now.
“Patriots had the 24-year-old Saunders in for a pre-draft visit, which reflects how he had been on their radar in the scouting process,” Reiss continued. “Saunders’ versatility to play multiple roles likely appealed to them, which is a notable part of the new scheme under Mike Vrabel, Terrell Williams and Zak Kuhr. From High Point, N.C., Saunders attended Miami (Ohio) for three seasons before landing at Mississippi in 2023.”
I expect the Ole Miss alum to contribute immediately for the 6-2 Patriots.
John Saunders Recorded A Preseason Interception
The rangy safety is a true center fielder. He recorded multiple interceptions in every year of his college career (excluding red shirt freshman season). This included three interceptions in three of four seasons.
After making a squad in the pros, the doubted safety went out to have an interception in a preseason game in which he returned for 51 yards.
After that game, the then 23-year-old had this to say to reporters.
“I’ve just been trying to be patient, wait for my opportunity to come,” Saunders said. “They always tell us just control what we can control, so I can’t control when I’m out there, but, when I am, I’m just trying to make plays when they come to me.”
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