While the New England Patriots are in the process of trimming their roster from previously 91 to 53 players, they also took time to bolster their depth at one position. Corey Kiner, a second-year running back who most recently played in Arizona, has been acquired via trade. To get the 24-year-old aboard, the Patriots are sending a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to the Cardinals.
Let’s put a grade on the move based on the information we have available.
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Bernd Buchmasser: It has become quite obvious this summer that the Patriots were not happy with their running back depth. With only so many viable options available, however, using a minor draft choice two years into the future is not the worst investment in the world. Is it a “throw it on the wall and see if it sticks” kind of trade? Yes, but even if he does not pan out there is really no harm done. | Grade: C
Matt St. Jean: After months of discussion of who would win the RB3 battle in New England, the answer is apparently “none of the above”. With 2026 seventh-rounder Jam Miller not being the answer, the Patriots moved one of their 2028 seventh-round picks for a former UDFA with 58 career rushing yards. It’s not ideal asset management, but we’re also talking about seventh-round picks and third-string running backs, so this isn’t a high stakes situation. Hopefully, Kiner provides sufficient depth behind what should be one of the top running back tandems in football. | Grade: C-
Pat Lane: If you’re wondering, “Who the heck is Corey Kiner?” I hope you didn’t come here for answers. Kiner has bounced around the league after being signed as a UDFA by the 49ers last year. He’s small, at only 5-foot-9 and isn’t very fast, but he is decently powerful. It seems that the Patriots wanted a power back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, and they get it with Kiner. Whether or not they keep a fourth back will be interesting to see, but clearly they weren’t happy with the depth they currently had on the roster. I’m not sure if it was bad enough to trade for a guy that no one has ever heard of, but I’ve certainly been wrong before. | Grade: D-
What do you think about the Kiner trade? Do you like it? Do you not? Please participate in our poll and head to the comment section below to explain your thinking.
