49ers Acquire Keion White from Patriots to Strengthen Defense

The San Francisco 49ers have strengthened their injury-prone defensive line by trading for defensive end Keion White from the New England Patriots. According to a source familiar with the transaction, the 49ers are sending a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Patriots, while receiving a seventh-round pick in return. The source spoke on condition of anonymity as the trade had not yet been publicly announced.

The 49ers have been grappling with significant injuries on their defensive front. They lost star edge rusher Nick Bosa to a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. Currently, they are also without defensive ends Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos, both sidelined with hamstring injuries. Furthermore, Trevis Gipson was claimed off the practice squad by the Carolina Panthers, adding to the team’s woes. This depletion has resulted in a dramatic decline in performance, with San Francisco failing to register any sacks and recording only two quarterback hits in their recent loss to the Houston Texans. In fact, they rank last in the NFL, managing just five sacks over their last six games.

Despite their struggles, the 49ers maintain a record of 5-3, placing them third in the NFC West. The acquisition of White, a second-round draft pick in 2023, is seen as a potential boost for the defense. While he demonstrated his abilities last season, White has not been as effective this year under the new coaching leadership of Mike Vrabel. He started only one game this season and was a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ recent victory against the Cleveland Browns.

During the first two games of the 2024 NFL season, White tallied four sacks but has since seen his output dwindle. He has recorded just one sack in his last 20 games, alongside three quarterback pressures from 76 pass rush snaps this season, as noted by Pro Football Focus. Nevertheless, White’s positional versatility—capable of playing both inside and outside—offers the 49ers additional options as they seek to revitalize their defensive line.

The 49ers are optimistic that defensive line coach Kris Kocurek can maximize White’s potential, following a pattern of success with similar reclamation projects in recent years. White has one year remaining on his rookie contract, which could give the team time to develop his talents further.

As the 49ers look to recover from their current challenges, the addition of Keion White could play a pivotal role in their defensive strategies moving forward.