Patriots may have uncovered another late round gem ready for a breakout season

Musket Fire · Jul 20, 2026 19:00 · 3 min read

Patriots may have uncovered another late round gem ready for a breakout season — May 9, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Karon Prunty (21) takes questions from the media during at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This fifth round draft pick has received some early offseason hype.

The New England Patriots took their draft pick tally over the last two years to an even 20 after a 2026 NFL Draft that featured nine selections. Of those nine picks, six came on the third and final day of the draft.

Selections on the final day don't often end up being stars, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Last offseason, Craig Woodson was selected in the fourth round, and he immediately became a starting safety alongside Jaylinn Hawkins. Andy Borregales and Julian Ashby became key special teams contributors as well, rounding out what appears to be a very good draft class.

The Patriots have had Day 3 success through their history, but none more so than at cornerback. Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, and the aforementioned Woodson were selected on Day 3 or signed as UDFAs, while Marcellas Dial and Kobee Minor are more recent draft picks that fit that bill.

The Patriots will, of course, look to continue their trend of developing unheralded cornerbacks into key pieces, and they may have the perfect candidate in this 2026 NFL Draft pick.

Karon Prunty could be the Patriots' next star cornerback

The Patriots' top-end talent is arguably the best in the league. Christian Gonzalez is arguably the league's best at the position, while Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones are fantastic second and third options. Their depth, however, is lackluster.

As things stand, Charles Woods and veteran Kindle Vildor are the top candidates to claim the dime role, but a third younger option may come into the fold this summer.

Fifth-round selection Karon Prunty was a bit of a controversial one at the time: the Wake Forest defensive back wasn't invited to the Combine and spent only one year in the ACC after spending his two years at Kansas and the next three seasons at North Carolina A&T.

Despite not being highly touted coming out of college, the 24-year-old allowed a 44% completion rate last year and performed well at his Pro Day, clocking in at a 4.45s 40-yard dash. Despite measuring in at 6-foot-1, he has an impressive 6-foot-4 wingspan. He's sure to be an asset on special teams right away, with long-term defensive upside.

Ethan Hurwitz of Sports Illustrated reported that cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton, who recruited Prunty when he was with Virginia Tech, seems to be high on the ex-Demon Deacon: "When you see guys who have the natural ability to play man-to-man, he can do that, which goes back to the raw tools that he has. He puts time into studying his craft, and that’s encouraging."

Prunty won't have it easy this offseason, but there is a clear path to not just a roster spot, but defensive play time. With Alex Austin and Miles Battle no longer with the team, Prunty will compete with Woods and Vildor for the fourth cornerback role. The fifth-round pick will be one to watch this summer.