NFL Rumors: Failed Patriots Draft Pick Joins NFC Team Looking To Revive Career

The last several years have produced a litany of failed New England Patriots draft picks.

N’Keal Harry is among the most notable. But there’s also Joejuan Williams, Duke Dawson, Dalton Keene and Chad Ryland while Tyquan Thornton is well on his way to being in that same category.

But don’t forget about Ronnie Perkins.

The Bill Belichick regime drafted Perkins in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he never played a game for the Patriots. Now, Perkins is looking to revive his career by joining an NFC West team.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, who cited a source, reported Tuesday night that Perkins signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. The Cardinals released offensive lineman Austen Pleasants and tight end Jordan Murray from their practice squad to create room for Perkins.

Perkins, 25, made his NFL debut last season after the Denver Broncos signed him off the Patriots practice squad. Perkins played in seven games for the Broncos and recorded 13 tackles. Denver released Perkins in mid-September with an injury designation.

If healthy, Perkins could work his way up to helping a Cardinals defense that surrendered the fifth-most points per game (27.2) in the league through six weeks.

There are plenty of former Patriots players already with the Cardinals. Mack Wilson Sr. signed a three-year, $12.8 million deal with Arizona in free agency while the Cardinals gave Ryland a chance in the middle of the season with Matt Prater dealing with an injury. The Cardinals signed Ryland to the active roster Tuesday with Prater going on injured reserve. Arizona also reportedly added cornerback and special teamer Keion Crossen, who spent one season with the Patriots in 2018, to its practice squad.

Perkins ended up being a part of an up-and-down Patriots draft class. New England’s selection of Perkins was sandwiched around picking Christian Barmore and Rhamondre Stevenson — Perkins’ college teammate at Oklahoma. The Patriots that year selected Mac Jones in the first round.