Tag: Keion White

Patriots DE Keion White could have major breakout role in 2024

Keion White could make a massive leap in his second year in New England

New England Patriots defensive end Keion White is looking to make an impact in his second season.

He burst onto the scene last year with 12 solo tackles and a sack. The Georgia Tech product showed brief flashes of potential throughout the season. A second-year leap could position him to be a breakout candidate in 2024.

It’s fair to say his role will increase. By all accounts, White has impressed the coaching staff throughout the offseason practices. Coach Jerod Mayo has especially been impressed with White’s development, and it appears that he is taking the next step in his sophomore season.

He could have a shot to be in the conversation to start at defensive end. Right now, he shares the position with Deatrich Wise Jr., but his skill set and ability to rush the passer could allow him to see the field more frequently. White played 521 total snaps last year. That ranked third behind Wise and Anfernee Jennings.

It would be reasonable to expect him to have a large role on defense this season. Now that he has a full grasp of the system, he should no longer be eased into things.

The lingering contract uncertainty with four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Matthew Judon could play a factor as well.

Judon is currently seeking a new deal, and NFL teams typically prefer to have deals done before the start of training camp. Not having a big contract in limbo limits distractions.

If the deal does not get done, the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard reported Judon will not play under his current contract with the Patriots. For the record, Judon has denied ever saying anything of the sort.

Depending on the outcome, White could have a shot at taking over for Judon as the team’s top pass-rusher for the future. Judon is an experienced veteran, but he will be 32 years old in August. In addition to age, Judon is also coming off a season-ending biceps injury.

The thought process with White is more about future potential than the immediate results that a top-tier player like Judon would give New England. The Patriots have done reasonably well over the years in finding players that can rush the passer.

White still has some growing to do as a playmaker, but he has the intangibles and skill set to be the next great pass-rusher for New England.

This could be the year things start coming together for the 25-year-old defensive end. If things implode with Judon, the Patriots might need White sooner rather than later.

Patriots defender picked in ESPN’s surprise minicamp standouts

Who was the biggest surprise standout for the Patriots at minicamp?

ESPN put together a list of one player from every team who was a surprise standout at minicamp. For the New England Patriots, that player was defensive end Keion White.

White generated positive buzz during the spring practices. Even Patriots coach Jerod Mayo admitted to being impressed with his development, as the second-year player looks to become an integral part of the defense.

White had a promising rookie year, recording 26 tackles, one sack, five quarterback hits and three tackles for a loss in 16 game appearances. ESPN’s Mike Reiss stated his case for White in the piece and highlighted a potentially increased role defensively.

Reiss wrote:

The 2023 second-round pick was mentioned by coach Jerod Mayo when asked if there was a player that has surprised him so far. “Keion has kind of taken that step forward as far as being a leader — not as much vocally, but you see him actually leading the groups and working well,” Mayo said. White played 45.8% of the defensive snaps as a rookie and looks primed to increase that number in 2024.

White taking that next step would be huge for a defense that currently leans on Matthew Judon as its top edge rusher. Judon is still a productive player, but at 31 years old, the Patriots need to be looking in the pipeline.

A solid year from White would allow the team to feel more comfortable passing the torch at the position.

Two players in particular have surprised Patriots coach Jerod Mayo at OTAs

There have been two obvious standouts at OTAs, per Patriots coach Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo admitted to being impressed by two players in particular during organized team activities.

One of those players is second-year defensive end Keion White, and the other is special teams veteran standout Brenden Schooler. Keep in mind, the Patriots are still early in the process. They haven’t even practiced with pads yet.

But Mayo has seen clear instances of growth from both players.

That’s a major positive for a Patriots team hoping to turn things around in 2024. The defensive unit took a massive hit when Matthew Judon went down with a season-ending biceps injury last season. So having White take that next step as a pass-rusher would help take some of the load off Judon, who turns 32 years old in August.

Meanwhile, Schooler will be looked at as the leader on special teams with legendary special-teamer Matthew Slater announcing his retirement back in February.

Patriots fans are hopeful some of those surprises come on the offensive side of the ball as well considering the unit ranked amongst the worst in the NFL last year. That unit’s improvement could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Jerod Mayo’s comments hint at massive second-year leap for Keion White

Jerod Mayo had high praise for second-year DE Keion White

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo is impressed with the jump defensive end Keion White has made in his second year.

White was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft with the 46th overall pick. The Georgia Tech product recorded 26 tackles, a sack and three tackles for a loss on the season. He showed promise over the course of the preseason and was able to parlay that into a successful rookie campaign.

Now, he is looking to have an even stronger sophomore season on a defense that figures to be a unit of strength once again. Mayo has been pleased with White’s development, as noted by MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

The defense might be looked at as the strength of the team with multiple veterans leading the way, but the real growth is going to come from some of the younger players, like White, Christian Gonzalez and others to ensure the unit’s continued success in the post-Bill Belichick era.

Keion White notes difference between Jerod Mayo and Bill Belichick

Keion White commented on the difference between Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots defensive end Keion White recently talked about the differences between playing for Bill Belichick and coach Jerod Mayo.

White made a positive impact in his rookie season last year, tallying 26 tackles, a sack and three pass deflections. He was part of a strong defensive rookie class, which starred Christian Gonzalez as the Patriots’ first-round draft pick.

Now, White will enter his second season with a new coach in Mayo. He will look to have a bigger role on a defensive unit that returns many of the same key contributors from last year.

White joked about the differences between the two coaches.

“We don’t got Bill cursing us out every play anymore, but it’s still pretty similar,” White said, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. “…I miss it. I like Bill. He’s my type of coach, like a hard-ass. I like that. I respond well to things like that.

“But Mayo’s done a pretty good job, too. It’s all different. Mayo’s doing a really good job of staying true to himself, not trying to fill somebody else’s shoes, but create his own path, and I really respect that.”

There’s hope that the defense won’t skip a beat with Mayo as the head coach. White could play a key role in his second year for a Patriots team that will likely need to lean on that unit to win games.

10 highest-graded players for Patriots defense vs Dolphins, per PFF

Who were the highest-graded Patriots defensive players in the loss to the Dolphins?

The New England Patriots defense could not handle the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, as they were defeated by a 31-17 margin.

Sure, the defense had moments of success, but by and large, this was a game that saw the unit struggle overall. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed for 324 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Running back Raheem Mostert carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Tyreek Hill was the receiver of the afternoon, catching seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

The Patriots defense had no answers for the potent Miami offensive attack. The Dolphins being on the field for nearly 36 minutes of the game didn’t help matters, either.

Here are the top-10 highest-graded defensive players for the Patriots in Week 8, per Pro Football Focus.

Patriots’ top 10 defensive players in Week 6, per PFF grades

Here are the Patriots’ top defensive players in Week 6, per PFF grades.

Defense has been the saving grace for the New England Patriots at a time when there isn’t much to feel good about with the team. That continued to be the case in Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The unit held the Raiders’ rushing attack, including Josh Jacobs, to under 100 yards. They also shut down All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who finished the game with only two receptions for 29 yards.

Even with all of the injuries on the roster, the Patriots defense still stood up to the road challenge and gave the team a chance to win. But it still wasn’t good enough.

Linebacker Jahlani Tavai had another big game after snagging a pop-up interception on Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He also tied Jabrill Peppers, who delivered the vicious hit that caused the initial pop-up interception, in total tackles.

Christian Barmore was also a big-time disruptor along the defensive front in swatting down passes, clogging up running lanes and generating pressure up the middle.

Here are the top-10 Patriots defensive players in Week 6, per Pro Football Focus grades.

Patriots DE Keion White downgraded to out with head injury

The Patriots announced Keion White is out with a head injury

New England Patriots defensive end Keion White has been downgraded to out for the rest of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. White suffered a head injury in the first half, and did not return to action following the injury.

This is another blow to a Patriots defensive unit that has already been bitten by the injury bug this season. The Georgia Tech product has recorded two tackles so far this season. He figures to be a key present and future piece for the defensive line as a second-round draft pick.

He already made quite an impression during the preseason and training camp.

The Patriots will have to continue looking down the depth chart for pass-rushing help with White and now, linebacker Matthew Judon, out with injuries.

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With Matt Judon out, Jerod Mayo looking to rookie as next man up

With Matthew Judon sidelined, the Patriots are looking to unleash their rookie pass-rusher.

New England Patriots defensive end Keion White is one of the many players that will have to step up with the loss of linebacker Matthew Judon.

Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo mentioned White as a player that will get more reps with Judon going down with a biceps injury. White recorded a tackle in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

He first burst onto the scene in the preseason, when he flashed his pass-rushing talent. But there have also been moments during the regular season where White looks like a playmaker in the making.

The loss of Judon is certainly a big one for New England. He had four sacks and 13 combined tackles on the season.

Mayo believes White will have to play a big role on the defense moving forward, as transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

White’s development will certainly be big for the organization for the rest of the season. Judon being absent could give insight into what New England has for the future in the pass-rushing department.

Many fans had questions about White’s ability as a player when he was drafted. Now, they may have a chance to see it at a larger sample size.

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Patriots QB Malik Cunningham reemerges as one of five practice players of the week

Patriots rookie QB Malik Cunningham is still making waves behind the scenes

The New England Patriots returned to the practice field on Wednesday after their big divisional victory over the New York Jets last Sunday.

Five players could be seen wearing a black jersey, which indicates those individuals being honored as the practice players of the week. It’s a welcome return to that tradition for New England after losing the previous two weeks to the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.

One of the players wearing a black jersey was rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham, who has been a bit of a mystery since he exploded onto the scene in the preseason.

Here are the practice players of the week after the Patriots’ first win of the season: