Patriots reportedly trade Keion White to 49ers for two draft picks

The New England Patriots are reportedly moving on from a former second-round pick.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots are trading defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

It stands as a largely underwhelming return for a 26-year-old player who recorded five sacks last seasons and was a high draft pick just two years ago. But, the writing was on the wall that White needed a fresh start elsewhere after failing to carve out a role in Mike Vrabel’s defense.

One of New England’s top pass-rushers last season, White fell behind on New England’s depth chart during training camp, with Vrabel’s new defensive scheme and the presence of several interior pass-rushers like Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, and a healthy Christian Barmore negating White’s top strength when it came to rushing up the gut to put pressure on opposing QBs. 

White was unable to settle into a groove as more of an outside edge rusher, losing out a featured role to the likes of Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson as the preseason carried on. 

White appeared in just five games for New England this season, recording just six total tackles. He was designated as a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. He logged 17 total snaps in Week 7 against the Titans. 

The Georgia Tech product look poised for a breakout season with New England in 2024 after posting four sacks over the first two games of the year. But, he only recorded two sacks over his remaining 36-game run in Foxborough before the team opted to send him out west. 

Even if White wasn’t a strong fit in Vrabel’s defense, his absence makes New England’s pass-rushing corps a bit thinner. The Patriots’ pass-rushing personnel now features Chaisson, Landry, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder, and Caleb Murphy on the active roster. 

White will look to recoup his value in the Bay Area, where his pass-rushing capabilities will be utilized to account for the loss of Nick Bosa, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. 

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.