The New England Patriots reportedly are moving on from one of their pass rushers ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots are sending Keion White and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz also reported the 49ers are signing defensive end Clelin Ferrell to their practice squad for more pass-rush help.
White was a second-round pick in 2023 and showed signs of promise in Year 2, recording 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks for the Patriots, but things have stalled in his third campaign.
He’s appeared in five games this season, picking up just six tackles. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that the Patriots recently made White inactive as they looked to trade him before next week’s deadline.
White spends time both on the edge and in the interior defensive line, but he hasn’t done much of either this year, playing behind K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry III at edge, and Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga at defensive tackle.
ESPN’s Ben Solak noted that White ranks 169th in pressure rate out of 176 qualifying defensive linemen this year and is last in pass rush win rate with no wins in 69 attempts.
While he’s gotten lost in the depth chart in New England, he could have the chance to hit the reset button on a depleted 49ers squad. San Francisco has dealt with a number of injuries this season, with one of the biggest being pass rusher Nick Bosa’s torn ACL. White should see his snap count increase exponentially with the Niners.
White isn’t exactly a replacement for Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowler, but he gives the 49ers some much-needed help on the defensive line on an affordable rookie deal.
Despite a handful of significant injuries, San Francisco is still very much alive in the playoff race at 5-3 heading into a Week 9 contest against the New York Giants. Now the 49ers have some additional support on the defensive line, and White has a fresh start.