New England Patriots dropped a 2028 seventh-round draft pick on the Arizona Cardinals, snagging second-year running back Corey Kiner. The 24-year-old runner, fresh off a stint in Arizona, has only 58 career rushing yards, leaving plenty of folks wondering what’s going on in Foxborough as they trim their roster from 91 players down to the final 53.
The RB Depth Struggle Is Real
The writing has been on the wall all summer long: the Patriots just weren’t happy with their running back depth. After months of talk about who would win that RB3 battle, with guys like 2026 seventh-rounder Jam Miller apparently not panning out, the answer looks like it’s “none of the above.” They were clearly looking for a solution, even if it meant looking outside the current roster to bolster the backfield.
Who IS Corey Kiner?
So, who is this guy, exactly? Corey Kiner, a former undrafted free agent originally signed by the 49ers last year, has bounced around the league a bit. He’s listed at 5-foot-9, so he’s small, and not exactly a speed demon. But he does bring some decent power to the backfield. It seems New England was hunting for a power back to play behind their presumed top tandem of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Whether Kiner provides that “sufficient depth” behind those two is the big question everyone’s asking.
The Early Grades Are In… And They’re Not Great
The analysts are already weighing in, and the grades for this move are not exactly glowing, not by a long shot. Bernd Buchmasser gives it a C, calling it a total “throw it on the wall and see if it sticks” kind of trade. He points out that while a minor draft choice two years out isn’t the worst investment, there’s really “no harm done” if Kiner doesn’t pan out. Matt St. Jean is even less impressed, handing out a C-. He labeled it “not ideal asset management” for a UDFA with just 58 career rushing yards, even if we are talking about third-string running backs and seventh-round picks. Pat Lane is the harshest, slapping a D- on the deal. He’s scratching his head, wondering if the depth situation was really bad enough to trade for a guy “that no one has ever heard of.” He admits he’s been wrong before, but the skepticism is pretty clear.
So, the Patriots get their “power back,” but the future for Corey Kiner in New England is still super unclear. Will he even make the cut for the final 53 players? It’ll be interesting to see if this relatively unknown, 24-year-old back can prove the doubters wrong and solidify that third spot in the backfield as roster cuts roll through.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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