Patriots Rookie Could Become Painful Final Cut Despite Strong Summer originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Karon Prunty has done almost everything the New England Patriots could have asked during his first NFL summer.
Unfortunately, roster math does not award extra points for effort. Prunty was the final player excluded from Sports Illustrated’s latest Patriots 53-man roster projection. The fifth-round rookie was left behind in favor of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor and Charles Woods at cornerback.
That does not mean Prunty has disappointed. In fact, his potential exclusion would be painful precisely because he has performed well throughout training camp. It means the Patriots may not have enough room for everyone who deserves to stay.
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Final Preseason Game Carries Added Importance For PruntyGonzalez, Davis and Jones are secure in their respective roles. Vildor has continued to build momentum as an experienced reserve, while Woods contributes on special teams and received defensive snaps in 13 games for New England last season.
That potentially leaves Prunty without a chair when the music stops. The Patriots selected him in the fifth round after he completed his college career at Wisconsin. His size and physical playing style made him an intriguing developmental option for Vrabel’s secondary.
New England would undoubtedly like to retain Prunty on its practice squad if he fails to make the initial roster. The problem is that exposing a promising draft pick to waivers gives every other NFL team an opportunity to claim him.
Vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden acknowledged this week that the Patriots must consider which players would be most likely to get claimed.
“It’s a calculated risk sometimes,” Cowden said.
Prunty represents exactly that kind of decision.
The rookie should receive extended playing time in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Browns. One interception or important special teams play could force the Patriots to create room for a sixth cornerback.
Prunty has produced a strong summer. Now he needs one final performance convincing enough to make roster arithmetic irrelevant.
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