The New England Patriots’ safety room was flipped upside down during Mike Vrabel’s first year as head coach in 2025, as the new coaching staff constructed a fresh foundation.
An original duo of Jabrill Peppers and longtime safety Kyle Dugger was reconfigured under Vrabel as Patriots brass looked toward rotational backup Jaylinn Hawkins and fourth-round rookie Craig Woodson to lead the unit. The transition paid off, and now the team will look to build on the group’s success heading into 2026.
In the next edition of our Patriots training camp preview series, we’ll take a look at New England’s safety corps in its entirety and discuss the biggest takeaways heading into the summer practices. Veterans will report to the facility on July 24.
Depth chart
As a mid-round selection, Woodson exceeded expectations last season alongside Hawkins, playing 93.7% of the defensive snaps. But it was during the playoffs that the then-24-year-old made a significant impact during the Patriots’ run through the AFC.
Woodson recorded 30 tackles, six pass deflections, one interception and a fumble recovery in those four matchups. Pro Football Focus included the rising safety on its 2025 All-Playoff Team with an 84.3 postseason grade.
Despite having a capable duo with Hawkins’ team-leading four interceptions, New England felt it could upgrade by signing 11-year veteran and three-time All-Pro Kevin Byard to a one-year deal. Byard spent six seasons with Vrabel in Tennessee before a two-year stint with the Chicago Bears, helping the franchise to the Divisional Round in 2025.
The depth behind the starters consists of Dell Pettus and Mike Brown, who have similar play styles, primarily lining up in the box.
Pettus fought his way onto the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2024 and has been a core special-teamer, making appearances in dime packages. Additionally, Brown signed a one-year deal with the Patriots after spending his previous three seasons with the Titans. They are then followed by special teams ace Brenden Schooler, who is used sparingly in specific defensive packages.
John Saunders Jr., who was picked up mid-season in 2025 after the team traded Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers, was also retained this offseason. Furthermore, an undrafted rookie from Hawaii, Peter Manuma, will provide further competition in training camp.
Key question: Who’s the third safety?
One of the question marks surrounding this group is the impact its depth will offer next season, and the third safety plays the most important role in that result.
Pettus’ defensive snap count regressed by nearly 200 reps last season compared to 2024. Yet, he consistently made reliable plays, most notably breaking up a fourth-down pass attempt against the New York Jets in Week 11 and practically sealing a New England victory. His role on the defense is limited due to his smaller frame, but he’s proven to be a steady rotational player.
Brown saw career-high usage in 2024, appearing in all 17 games and registering 49 tackles; however, he was almost strictly a special-teamer last season and only saw action in nine games after ankle and knee injuries.
Regardless of that regression in playing time, Brown saw first-team reps in three-safety packages during the spring and could see a larger role with the Patriots.
Both safeties seem to have decent shots at making the final roster, so a rotation between the two in those packages is a potential route.
X-Factor: Kevin Byard
Returning to the top of the depth chart, Byard will be the x-factor of the safety room, manning the deep portions of the field if he continues to defy Father Time. The veteran is turning 33 in August and, in recent years, has grown slightly more inconsistent in man coverage.
Still, he’s been playing his role as a roaming safety at an elite level. In 2025, at 32 years old, Byard was the league’s interceptions leader with seven turnovers and, along with eight pass breakups, was elected a First-Team All-Pro. He also proved he remains a physical downfield playmaker, recording 93 tackles and four for a loss.
Beyond Byard’s versatility, he extends his influence off the field as a mentor. His playing experience should also aid Woodson’s development as he enters his second season.
The duo of Woodson and Byard should create a layer of stability in the shell of the Patriots’ defense next season. Training camp will offer an early indication of where Byard is physically.