FOXBORO — Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick always had a knack for scouting unheralded cornerbacks.

Belichick might have found one more diamond in the rough during his last season with the Patriots when he signed Alex Austin, who had been released from the Texans’ practice squad, to the 53-man roster last November.

Austin played 211 defensive snaps over the final five weeks of the season, starting one game during that span. He let up just 12 catches on 22 targets for 107 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and two pass breakups.

Related Articles

Patriots WR coach wants to let confident rookie Javon Baker be himself

Jerod Mayo doesn’t dismiss idea of Patriots adding more left tackle help

Patriots extra points: Jerod Mayo talks Matthew Slater’s new role on coaching staff

How Patriots coaches want to see Joe Milton III to develop at QB

Patriots OTAs: Rookie Drake Maye gets promoted, throws 2 INTs with starters missing

And now, with former Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant playing with the Texans and Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones sitting out of practice, Austin has been repping with the team’s top defense during OTAs.

“It means a lot coming into my second season, having some comfortability under my belt, coaches being able to trust me being out there with the 1 group of guys,” Austin said Tuesday. “Just trying to take full advantage of every opportunity knowing that you never know when it’s your last day in this business. Especially me. I’ve seen it as a rookie. Stay level-headed, I don’t ride the ups or the downs. I just like to show up to work every day, show my consistency and come to work. But it’s definitely a benefit being able to roll with the 1s. It gets me ready for the season.”

Austin was drafted in the seventh round by the Bills last year, was waived after training camp and claimed by the Texans before joining the Patriots past midseason. Head coach Jerod Mayo was encouraged by what he saw from Austin as a rookie.

“Yeah, when we finished up last year, he was one of those guys where we’re like, “Look, this is an NFL player,” and it’s good to see him coming back in shape, going out here and making plays,” Austin said. “So, it’s good to see.”

The Patriots have experimented with moving another cornerback selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Isaiah Bolden, into the slot. Bolden missed his rookie season with a concussion.

Austin, Bolden and 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez, three second-year players, have all shared the field in some defensive formations. That’s something Austin calls “definitely beneficial.”

“Being able to build that camaraderie with those guys, we all were rookies last year. We’re all coming into your second year trying to take that big jump in Year 2,” Austin said. “We’re pushing each other every day, holding each other to the standard and holding each other accountable.”