FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Corey Kiner, the talented running back from LSU, has had a winding journey leading up to his recent acquisition by the New England Patriots. Initially, Kiner was on the radar of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he ultimately went undrafted. Following the draft, Kiner signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he joined their practice squad.
His time with the 49ers was short-lived, as he was waived due to an injury designation in mid-August of that year. Kiner then found himself with the Minnesota Vikings, who signed him to their practice squad in September 2025. By December, he made his way to the Arizona Cardinals' active roster, where he remained until this summer. Just before the roster cut deadline, the Patriots decided to trade for Kiner, marking a significant moment in his career.
Upon receiving the call from the Patriots, Kiner expressed his surprise and excitement. "I was a little shocked. I was happy, though," he shared in a recent interview. "Just very happy that I was getting the opportunity to come be on a 53-man roster." The roster cutdown day is notoriously challenging for many players, especially those who are undrafted. Teams often seek to trade for players they believe in, which is precisely what the Patriots did with Kiner.
Kiner reflected on the importance of this opportunity, stating, "It meant a lot. Somebody believed in me, and being undrafted, not many people believed in me out of the gate. But Coach Vrabel talked about his interest pre-draft, and then he still had that interest post-draft after I had a couple different stints at different teams. And that speaks a lot to what he thinks about me, and then just me as a person, continuing to work and improve day by day."
During the draft process, Kiner and Vrabel had several phone conversations, which laid the groundwork for Kiner’s eventual arrival in New England. Eager to prove himself, Kiner described his playing style as "very physical, tough, gritty. Not super flashy, just explosive and gritty. I’m a four-quarter player, so the same me that you get in the first quarter is the same me you get in the fourth quarter."
In addition to his connection with Vrabel, Kiner has established relationships with several players on the Patriots roster. He previously overlapped with Will Campbell during his time at LSU in 2021 and played alongside Lorenz Metz at the University of Cincinnati from 2022 to 2024. He also trained with TreVeyon Henderson for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, further expanding his network within the league.
Although Kiner has not yet met Rhamondre Stevenson in person, he has followed his career closely through social media. "I’ve been a fan of his for a long time," Kiner noted. "It’s cool seeing those guys work, seeing the work that they’ve put in, and then coming in here and being welcomed by them and being able to work side by side with them is a blessing."
During the 2025 NFL season, Kiner participated in only 30 offensive snaps and six on special teams. However, he showcased his potential in the preseason with the Cardinals, where he recorded 39 attempts for 180 yards and two touchdowns. As he begins this new chapter with the New England Patriots, Kiner is poised to make a significant impact and demonstrate his capabilities on a larger stage.
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