New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel admitted to concerns about his team’s depth following their preseason finale.
The Patriots relied heavily on backups throughout the preseason, hoping to build depth and uncover hidden contributors. After the run game struggled, Vrabel and his front office looked outside the building for running back depth.
On August 29, the Patriots traded for Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Corey Kiner. With roster cutdowns complete, Kiner is one of three remaining running backs on New England’s active roster.
Although Kiner’s NFL experience is limited, the film shows promise as a physical back who can help keep the Patriots on schedule in 2026.
Kiner Has Flashed in Early NFL Opportunities
Kiner entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2025, spending training camp with the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. He didn’t reach the Cardinals’ active roster until December, when injuries opened an opportunity in Arizona’s backfield.
Kiner appeared in four games for the Cardinals, logging 12 carries for 58 yards. The production was modest, but efficient, and his contact balance stood out most.
His Week 16 performance against the Atlanta Falcons best showed his ability to absorb contact. His nine-yard carry in the second quarter saw him truck star safety Jessie Bates, spin over a tackle attempt from All-Rookie selection Xavier Watts, and keep his balance before a third defender ultimately brought him down.
It was an early example of how it often takes multiple defenders to take him to the ground.
Kiner is officially listed at 5-foot-9, 209 pounds. His compact frame is a weapon in his bruising style, helping him get lower than defenders and deliver force. Pro Football Focus credited him with four missed tackles forced last season in just 12 carries. After finishing his senior season at Cincinnati with 82 missed tackles forced, that showed his defining skill translates to the next level.
Kiner’s power continued to flash in the 2026 preseason, where he tallied 39 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns. As he continues to adjust to NFL competition, his quick, purposeful footwork stands out. When he approaches the line of scrimmage, he takes short, quick steps that keep his options for cutback lanes open. Paired with good patience, he has built a film package of a promising between-the-tackles runner.
Patriots Cashed In On Kayshon Boutte Trade
One of the few positions where the Patriots had a surplus of talent was wide receiver. So, in the days after Vrabel’s comments about the lack of depth, New England traded receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for safety and special teams contributor Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick.
Less than a week later, the Patriots flipped the pick acquired from Houston to the Cardinals for Kiner. In other words, New England turned its surplus at wide receiver into depth at safety, special teams and running back.
For Kiner specifically, it was a sign that the Patriots saw enough in his limited body of work to go outside the organization rather than settle for their existing RB3 options.
Patriots Have Bolstered Their Running Back Depth
The Patriots tried out several running backs during preseason: Jam Miller, Hassan Haskins, JaMycal Hasty, and Lan Larison. The entire unit struggled, totaling just 259 yards on 79 carries, under 3.3 yards per carry.
Comparing the raw efficiency numbers between New England’s backs and Kiner is not perfect. Kiner ran behind a different offensive line in a different system and faced different competition. Still, his combination of power, footwork, and patience was apparent regardless of the play result.
As of September 1, Haskins and Larison have signed with the Patriots’ practice squad. Although largely ineffective in preseason, both showed New England enough to warrant a longer look. Haskins, who has been around the NFL for the past four years, brings kickoff return experience. Larison’s upside as a receiving back took a hit with a pair of drops in the preseason finale, but that role largely remains vacant on the Patriots.
If anything, New England’s decision to keep Haskins and Larison on the practice squad while also adding Kiner makes the running back room even deeper than previously anticipated.
Opportunities behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson may be scarce this season. However, if the Patriots need someone to step into an early-down role, Kiner’s physical running style gives them a back capable of finding yards in tight spaces, absorbing contact and keeping the offense moving forward.
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