The New England Patriots addressed running back depth at the end of the preseason, sending a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Corey Kiner on cutdown day. The move came after the team released Hassan Haskins and reached an injury settlement with Jam Miller, later adding Haskins and La’Mical Perine to the practice squad.
Patriots Had Eyes on Kiner Since 2024
Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the organization tracked Kiner well before the trade.
“Corey [Kiner], we talked about him when we traded for him that he was a player that we had looked at trying to get last year coming out,” Vrabel said. “It didn’t work out. He’s a good young runner.”
With Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson atop the depth chart, and Henderson ruled out for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Kiner could see immediate opportunities.
Compact Build, High Contact Balance
Listed at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, Kiner profiles as a physical, tackle-breaking back. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry across five college seasons, amassing 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine suggests functional speed, but his game is built on consistent effort and after-contact production.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein noted pre-draft that it is “rare” to see Kiner brought down by the first defender. Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield echoed that assessment last March.
“He is consistently good every single day,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield told reporters last March. “You know what you’re going to get out of him. He’s going to be a guy who breaks a lot of tackles. He’s always going to strain for the extra yard.”
LSU Roots and Kevin Faulk Connection
A consensus four-star recruit ranked 11th nationally at his position in the 2022 class per 247Sports, Kiner initially committed to LSU. Former Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, then the Tigers’ running backs coach, spearheaded his recruitment. Kiner spent one season in Baton Rouge alongside wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, whom New England recently traded to the Houston Texans, before transferring to the University of Cincinnati.
Productive Stint as Cincinnati’s Lead Back
Kiner became the starting running back during the Bearcats’ inaugural Big 12 season in 2023. Despite a 3-9 team record, he posted his first 1,000-yard campaign with 1,047 yards on 192 carries (5.5 YPC) and five touchdowns. Cincinnati improved to 5-7 in 2024, and the program sits at 1-0 to start the 2025 season.
Ohio High School Legend
Kiner hails from the Cincinnati area and finished his career at Roger Bacon High School ranked 10th in Ohio High School Athletic Association history with 7,130 career rushing yards and third with 116 rushing touchdowns. He scored 35 touchdowns as a senior, led the program to its first regional championship, and earned Ohio’s Mr. Football honor. The University of Cincinnati’s official bio describes him as “one of the greatest running backs in Bearcats history.”
Fourth NFL Stop in Less Than a Year
Kiner entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025. After being released at the end of training camp, he joined the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before the Cardinals signed him to their active roster. He appeared in four games for Arizona last season, totaling 58 yards on 12 carries. Kiner remained with the Cardinals through the 2025 offseason until the Patriots acquired him in late August.
