Why Keion White Has Been Surpassed On Patriots' Depth Chart

Why Keion White has been surpassed on Patriots' depth chart originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Keion White wasn’t wearing sunglasses as the Patriots took the field under the lights against the Giants on Thursday night. That’s not to say White’s on the hot seat with New England nearing its roster cutdown, but there’s nevertheless something to the fact the once-expected starter wore his helmet and pads while other veterans didn’t.

Playing 30 defensive snaps in the preseason finale served as the latest indication the third-year defensive end has slid down the depth chart.

“I don’t think Keion White is in trouble (of making the roster), but I know that he’s been surpassed on the depth chart,” Patriots insider Phil Perry said on the Patriots Talk podcast. “I mean, this has been happening.”

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One reason behind White’s demotion is because K’Lavon Chaisson has emerged as a strong fit for New England’s defensive scheme. The former first-round pick, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this offseason, has been repping with the starters opposite fellow offseason signee Harold Landry III. Neither Chaisson nor Landry took the field during the preseason finale.

Another aspect behind White’s slide is the fact he hasn’t popped off the page this summer. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder resembles a superhero with his physical stature. But White, firmly entrenched on the outside after playing all along the defensive line in previous seasons, doesn’t have the speed off the edge that others do.

“Keion White, to me, I’m not sure how he has improved since he entered the league,” Perry said. “He just feels, still, like a player who doesn’t have a whole lot in the way of pass-rush moves.”

White welcomes violence in the trenches. He’s more than willing to try and run through an opponents’ face in an attempt to get to the quarterback. The problem, as Perry shared, is that it hasn’t proven to be a successful strategy for the 2023 second-round pick.

“When I watch him rush the passer, he’s just trying to go right down the middle of whoever is blocking him,” said Perry, who noted White primarily works one or two pass-rush moves. “Sometimes it works, but most times it doesn’t.

“For a guy who is that physically talented, working with a new staff that clearly wants to get as much out of him as they can, I’m surprised I haven’t seen more from him this summer,” Perry continued. “So, I’m not surprised he played as much as he did today. I’m not surprised that Chaisson has passed hm.”

Also in this episode:

• How will Patriots improve their roster before Week 1?
• What do Patriots do with Javon Baker?
• Which position group improved most throughout camp?