The Patriots have traded defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 6th-round pick for a 2026 7th-rounder according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
White, who registered 5 sacks last season became expendable after not fitting into the new defensive scheme under Mike Vrabel. White was a healthy scratch on Sunday against the Browns.
White was a second round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2023. He projected as a potential first round pick but slipped into the second round where the Patriots drafted him as part of Bill Belichick’s last draft in New England.
As a rookie, White appeared in 16 games and started four of them. He finished with one sack, 26 total tackles (12 solo) and three passes defended.
In 2024, White helped the Patriots to a Week 1 victory on the road in Cincinnati with 2.5 sacks of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. White also had four total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and three quarterback hits. He would rack up 2.5 sacks the rest of the season.
White expressed his frustration with the season after the finale against the Bills and even intimated that he would welcome a coaching change.
The change was Vrabel who liked what he saw from White in training camp and even praised him.
“I mean, I’ve had plenty of conversations with Keion and love how he works and love how he competes. And so, we’re going to need him, we’re going to need all three of them, four of them, five of them, however many guys can help us on the edge and affect the quarterback,” Vrabel said on Aug. 25. “So, I think when everything is said and done, the snaps are going to be pretty even and equal.”
Unfortunately, White never really got going and the Patriots ultimately decided to move on in a trade that is best for the organization and the player.
Now White will get an opportunity to play a lot more for a defense that has been depleted by injuries. He should carve out a role for himself. As for the Patriots, White’s trade could create more opportunities for players like rookie Elijah Ponder whom the staff likes.