Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has ties to one of the team’s AFC rivals, the New England Patriots, who could be fine trade partners before the 2025 deadline.
The target for the Texans? Patriots safety Kyle Dugger.
The No. 37 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Dugger is signed through 2027 on a four-year, $58 million contract. However, the Texans could be positioned to make the Patriots an offer they would be wise to accept.
Texans Trade Pitch Lands Patriots DB Kyle Dugger
GettyKyle Dugger #23 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans have left themselves thin at the safety position in what is an otherwise talented secondary. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted them as one of several teams in need of help on the backend.
Barnwell also suggested the Texans as a potential trade suitor for Dugger. He even provided the framework for a potential trade with the Patriots
In it, the Texans ship out one of their many running backs.
Texans get:
- Kyle Dugger
Patriots get:
“One of the few safeties who is very clearly available for trade is Dugger, who surprisingly was benched by the Patriots before the season. The only reason Dugger wasn’t released was his $9.8 million base salary, which was already guaranteed before Week 1,” Barnwell wrote in an article on October 16.
“Dugger’s not that far removed from being a valuable player for Bill Belichick in New England, though, and while the 29-year-old’s previously elite traits might have slipped after an ankle injury, there are just too many teams in need of help at safety.”
Barnwell points out the Texans’ recent shuffle on the back end as a reason Dugger could be a fit. They also have some injuries to overcome.
Texans Ties Could Work in Kyle Duggers’ Favor
GettyHouston Texans Nick Caserio is seen before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies.
Barnwell noted Dugger’s ties to the Texans’ front office as part of his argument for making the trade before the deadline.
However, the Texans are relying on a career backup at one safety spot after a shakeup.
“Caserio was part of the team that drafted Dugger in the 2020 draft, and the Texans have been a reliable home for former Patriots in the past,” Barnwell. “The Texans have a strong secondary, but they’re thin at safety after releasing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who made $7.3 million for his three games in Houston. Jimmie Ward is still recovering from offseason foot surgery, which has left M.J. Stewart as the starter by default.
The Patriots would “eat about $5 million” of what remains on Dugger’s contract in Barnwell’s scenario. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr also believes the Patriots would need to absorb some of Dugger’s salary to move on.
“A former starter in New England, Dugger has been playing just 36% of the snaps in Mike Vrabel’s defense. The Patriots have tried to move Dugger after he was demoted to the second string, but haven’t found a taker yet,” Kerr wrote on October 16. “Dugger needs to play in the right system, and the Patriots have to be willing to absorb his money to move on.
“Many teams don’t want to have Dugger at that price — even if they can save $8 million in cap space by moving on after the season.”
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