Liam MacKenzie – Treasurer/Sports Editor
Foxborough, MA – The New England Patriots added another piece to their offensive arsenal ahead of the 2026 season, acquiring running back Corey Kiner from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. The move gave New England additional depth in its backfield following an injury that significantly impacted the competition for the team’s RB3 position.
A Strong Preseason in Arizona – Kiner entered the trade following an impressive 2026 preseason with the Cardinals. Across four games, the 24-year-old carried the ball 39 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
He also demonstrated his ability to contribute as a receiver, catching five passes for 28 yards. Beyond the statistics, Kiner forced nine missed tackles, recorded three runs of at least 15 yards, and did not fumble during the preseason.
Kiner’s production made him an intriguing option for a Patriots team searching for additional depth in its backfield. Rather than waiting to see which players became available elsewhere, New England elected to give up a future seventh-round selection to bring the young running back to Foxborough.
Jennings’ Injury Opens the Door – A key factor behind the Patriots’ decision to acquire another running back was the injury to Terrell Jennings. Jennings had been competing for the RB3 role before his injury created an opening behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
With Jennings unavailable, several players found themselves competing for the vacant spot, including Hassan Haskins, JaMycal Hasty, Lan Larison and rookie Jam Miller. Instead of relying solely on the players already competing for the role, New England made a move to acquire Kiner from Arizona.
A Corresponding Roster Move – The Patriots made an immediate corresponding roster move following the Kiner trade by releasing veteran running back Hassan Haskins. The move signaled that New England was continuing to reshape its running back room as the regular season approached.
The roster changes did not stop there, however. The Patriots would later release JaMycal Hasty, Lan Larison and seventh-round rookie Jam Miller as they finalized their roster.
Winning the RB3 Battle – Following the series of roster moves, Kiner emerged as the winner of the competition for New England’s third running back spot. He joined Stevenson and Henderson as the three running backs remaining on the Patriots’ roster.
For the cost of a 2028 seventh-round pick, New England acquired a player coming off an impressive preseason while addressing a need created by Jenning’s injury. Kiner’s ability to produce as both a runner and receiver gives the Patriots another versatile option in their evolving offense.
What began as an open competition in the Patriots’ backfield ultimately ended with a new arrival claiming the RB3 role. Now, Kiner will look to build upon his strong preseason performance as he begins the next chapter of his NFL career in New England.
