Kyle Dugger has been a staple in the New England Patriots' defensive backfield for the better part of four seasons. But if the Patriots want him back in Year 5, they'll have to pay up.
Dugger is set to hit unrestricted free agency on March 13 after his rookie contract expires. New England can keep him around by giving him the franchise tag -- a one-year deal valued at $16.2 million for safeties -- or working out a long-term extension that likely would be well north of $10 million per year.