49ers Trade for Defensive End Keion White from Patriots

The San Francisco 49ers have secured defensive end Keion White from the New England Patriots in a trade that took place late on Tuesday afternoon. In exchange, the 49ers will send a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to New England, while receiving a seventh-round pick in the same draft as part of the deal.

This acquisition comes at a crucial time for the 49ers, who are facing a significant shortage of healthy defensive ends due to injuries. The team has struggled to maintain a consistent pass rush, ranking last in the league with a 21.3% pressure percentage and 33.8% in pass-rush win rate. The most serious blow to the lineup occurred in Week 3 when star defensive end Nick Bosa was sidelined for the season due to a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

In the aftermath of their recent loss to the Houston Texans, the 49ers were left with defensive ends Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Sam Okuayinonu all dealing with injuries. While Huff and Gross-Matos are expected to return soon, Okuayinonu remains day-to-day, leaving the 49ers desperate for additional support at the position.

White joins the 49ers after a tumultuous season in New England, where his role diminished significantly under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Despite being a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft during Bill Belichick‘s final year as head coach, White saw limited action this season, participating in just 26% of defensive snaps and recording six tackles with one pressure. He was a healthy scratch during the Patriots’ recent victory over the Cleveland Browns.

His rookie season saw him play in all 16 games with four starts, amassing 26 tackles, one sack, five quarterback hits, and three pass breakups. Under the leadership of Jerod Mayo, who took over as head coach in 2024, White’s role expanded, leading to a more impactful season where he recorded 56 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles across 13 starts.

White still has one year remaining on his rookie contract, with a base salary of $1.812 million for the 2026 season. Given the current state of the defensive line, the 49ers may continue to pursue additional trades to bolster their roster while waiting for the return of their injured players.

As the team navigates these challenges, the addition of White may provide much-needed depth and experience to a beleaguered defensive line. The implications of this trade will unfold as the 49ers prepare for the rest of the season.