Roger Lewis,Jonathan Jones

New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones tackles New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis during the second half of an NFL preseason game on Sept. 1, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J.

(AP Photo)

At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, former Auburn cornerback Jonathan Jones ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash - faster than any player at his position, one where speed is particularly valued by NFL teams.

At the NFL Draft in April, 32 cornerbacks were chosen -- from Florida State's Jalen Ramsey by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fifth pick to Southern Miss' Kalan Reed, a former Briarwood Christian star, by the Tennessee Titans with the 253rd and final selection.

But Jones wasn't among them.

The list of drafted cornerbacks included one going to the New England Patriots. New England took Cyrus Jones out of Alabama in the second round.

On the first Sunday of the NFL season, though, the Patriots will have two Joneses listed as cornerbacks on their roster.

Jonathan Jones earned a spot with New England as a free agent. He could make his NFL debut on Sunday night, when New England kicks off its 2016 schedule against the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones signed with the Patriots shortly after the NFL Draft, starting his uphill climb as an undrafted rookies to New England's regular-season roster.

At a press conference during game week, New England coach Bill Belichick explained what Jones had done to earn his roster spot in a crowded cornerback competition.

It helped, Belichick said, that Jones came prepared for the pros.

"He was in a good program at Auburn," Belichick said. "Played for coach (Will) Muschamp last year, and I think a lot of his secondary techniques that we teach are similar to some of the things that he has already done, so he picked those up pretty quickly."

Belichick said Jones' ability to contribute in the secondary and on special teams helped him stand out.

"He's a tough kid and has good playing speed, good quickness and has been a productive player for us in the kicking game and on defense," Belichick said. "You saw in the (preseason) game against the Giants the other night there were several deep plays that they tried to toss up on him, and he was competitive on those plays. We saw those in some other preseason games and practices. I'd say just overall his solid performance on defense and in the kicking game put him just a little bit ahead of a couple of the other players that we had competing at that position, too."

The Chicago Bears claimed Cre'von LeBlanc and the New York Jets claimed Darryl Roberts after the cornerbacks were waived by the Patriots on Sept. 3 in the cut to reach the 53-player regular-season roster limit.

"We had two other corners claimed by other teams," Belichick said, "so I think that speaks to kind of the competition at that position. But Jon earned a spot based on his play on the field and his consistency. He's out there every day, always comes in ready to go, has a good attitude, gives you great effort. He has got all of those things going for him."

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Jones adds to New England's collection of defensive backs with Alabama football roots. In addition to rookies Jonathan Jones and Cyrus Jones, the Patriots have former West Alabama standout Malcolm Butler, who earned Pro Bowl recognition last season, and safety Brandon King, an ex-Thompson High School and Auburn player who is a special-teams ace for New England. The Patriots also have safety Vinnie Sunseri, who played at Northridge High School and Alabama, on the practice squad.

The Patriots visit the Cardinals at 7:30 p.m. CDT Sunday. NBC will televise the game.