The New England Patriots are trading defensive end Keion White and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
White, a 2023 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech, now becomes the latest player from Bill Belichick’s final draft class to be shipped out as the Patriots continue to reshape their roster under Mike Vrabel.
When White first arrived in Foxborough, there was legitimate excitement about his upside. At 6’5” and 290 pounds, he looked like a player who could wreck games from multiple spots along the line. Last season, White posted five sacks and 56 tackles, playing across multiple fronts and earning praise for his physicality and effort. But that role all but disappeared in 2025.
The Patriots brought in Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson who all have solidified starting roles, leaving little room for White to find meaningful reps.
With White gone, expect the Patriots to rotate Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder, and Caleb Murphy behind Landry and Chaisson. Jennings in particular has carved out a bigger role this season, showing he can hold up on early downs and push the pocket on passing downs.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 19-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Ben.BelfordPeltzman@gmail.com with any inquires.
