Steelers Add DB Help in Trade With Patriots
After an abysmal defensive showing against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 from Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a new safety in town.
In a trade announced by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, the Steelers acquired New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger. In exchange for Dugger, the Steelers and Patriots swapped sixth and seventh round 2026 draft picks.
Trouble in Steelers' Defensive Paradise
Dugger joins Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers, another former Patriot, at strong safety and DeShon Elliot, Juan Thornhill and Miles Kilebrew at free safety on the Steelers' depth chart. Elliot suffered a knee injury during Pittsburgh's matchup against Green Bay and is on the injured reserve list and considered out week-to-week. Kilebrew is set to miss the full season.
The Steelers defense, generally considered to be the best in the league, has been floundering in 2025. The NFL ranks the Steelers at 30th in the league and have allowed 25 points per game through Week 8, for a total of 386 yards. Stars like TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, some of the best paid defenders in football, have not been performing like expected, likely leading the Steelers to acquire more help in the form of Dugger.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has not publicly considered taking over defensive play calling duties from defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, instead insisting the two will work on a solution to the team's defensive woes.
Kyle Dugger's Journey to the NFL
Dugger was originally drafted by the Pats in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, going 37th overall. In college, he played for the NCAA Division II Lenoir–Rhyne Bears out of North Carolina, where he was made an immediate starter and won the Cliff Harris Award for best small school defensive player in 2019.
Dugger made his debut that season in the Patriots' home opener against the Miami Dolphins, but would later miss time due to an ankle injury. His best year was 2023, where he
Dugger signed a four-year contract with New England that year, and re-signed for another four years in April 2024 for $58 million, with $29,75 million guaranteed. In 2025, he's recorded 17 total tackles (7 solo, 10 assists) and no sacks through the first seven games of the season, but did not play due to a mild knee injury in the Patriots' Week 8 game against the Steelers' AFC North fellows, the Cleveland Browns.
Should Fantasy Owners Panic About Jacory Croskey-Merritt?
Amid a flurry of injuries, the Washington Commanders have endured a tough start to the season, suffering losses in each of their last three games following a 3-2 stretch through their first five games. The Commanders sit at third in the NFC East standings and have faced inconsistency offensively with Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel each missing time this season.
In the backfield, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt entered the season with high expectations given the group’s lack of high-end talent. Following a 27.0-PPR point outing in Week 5, the Commanders rookie has struggled mightily in fantasy, mustering under 6.0 points in each of their last three games.
Washington has been forced to abandon its ground game at times due to large deficits, raising concern over Croskey-Merritt’s fantasy stock going forward. With Jayden Daniels sidelined in Week 8, Croskey-Merritt posted just 2.5 PPR points on the ground, his lowest mark of the season thus far.
Without the remainder of its stars, teams have keyed in on the efficient production of Croskey-Merritt, who is looking to snap a skid of lackluster output. Entering a crucial Week 9 matchup, let’s determine if now is the time for fantasy owners to panic about the Commanders running back.
Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Despite his fantasy woes, Washington’s rookie back has recorded 82 carries for 402 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Croskey-Merritt is one of the top rushing rookies in the NFL this season and is on pace for nearly 900 yards in his rookie campaign.
Still, that doesn’t mean his fantasy production hasn’t emerged concerning. Amid yet another injury to Daniels, Croskey-Merritt and Washington’s offense could continue to endure its share of struggles as they gear up for a matchup versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9.
In Week 8, Croskey-Merritt managed just 25 yards over nine carries without catching a pass during the loss. Without consistent volume, the running back endured a limited ceiling for production, lowering his fantasy stock entering the new week.
The Commanders will hope for Daniels back in time for Sunday’s game versus Seattle, coming off a lowly seven-point effort versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Should Daniels manage a return, Croskey-Merritt’s fantasy stock should trend in the correct direction with his running mate in the backfield.
