49ers-patriots Trade Grade: Keion White Could Help Mykel Williams Break Out

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The 49ers person struggled to make unit since losing prima separator rusher Nick Bosa to a season-ending knee wounded successful Week 3.

But they’re hoping nan walk unreserved improves aft acquiring protect extremity Keion White successful a waste and acquisition pinch nan Patriots connected Monday. San Francisco is sending a 2026 sixth-round prime to New England, and successful return, will get White and a ’26 seventh-round pick.

The Patriots aren’t technically sellers because they presently person a 6–2 record, but they were engaged connected Monday moving players from nan erstwhile coaching regimes that they didn’t position arsenic semipermanent fits. New England besides executed a waste and acquisition that sent information Kyle Dugger to nan Steelers.

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Let’s return a look astatine really nan 49ers and Patriots use from nan waste and acquisition involving White.

The 49ers (5–3) astir apt still request a scatter move to thief nan defense set without Bosa and prima linebacker Fred Warner, who was besides mislaid for nan play owed to injury.

Adding White is acold from a scatter move, but he provides extent to a pass-rush group that could usage each nan thief it could get. San Francisco has only generated 9 sacks this season, tied for second-worst successful nan league, only up of Jacksonville’s 8 sacks.

White was erstwhile viewed arsenic a breakout campaigner for nan Patriots, but nan 2023 second-round prime grounded to find consistency pinch erstwhile coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo and was ne'er viewed arsenic a strategy fresh for caller coach Mike Vrabel.

Maybe White could use from a alteration of scenery and play much than 40% of nan protect snaps, which was nan lawsuit successful New England. White’s champion play was past year, erstwhile he recorded 5 sacks and played 74% of nan protect snaps. This year, White has zero sacks and has started only 1 game.

Again, this is much of a extent move, possibly 1 that could thief rookie first-round separator rusher Mykel Williams amended his game. Williams, who has 1 sack this season, appeared headed for an awesome rookie season, but has struggled without Bosa connected nan other broadside to bid astir of nan attraction from opposing violative lines.

San Francisco desperately needs to use much unit connected opposing quarterbacks to support up pinch nan Rams (5–2) and Seahawks (5–2) successful nan loaded NFC West.

Grade: C+

Patriots

The Patriots could person easy focused connected being a purchaser arsenic a first-place squad 1 week earlier nan Nov. 4 waste and acquisition deadline.

But to nan team’s credit, New England saw an opportunity to summation draught picks successful speech for players that were picked by nan erstwhile coaching regimes. It was evident that White wasn’t successful nan team’s semipermanent plans aft spending nan first 2 months of nan play playing little than half of nan protect snaps.

Also, nan Patriots were pleased pinch their existent protect front, which drastically improved pinch nan presence of prized free-agent protect tackle Milton Williams. New England lacks a prima separator rusher, but has gotten dependable contributions from Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson.

Maybe nan picks New England gained successful nan trades for White and Dugger will beryllium utilized to onshore a notable separator rusher earlier adjacent week’s waste and acquisition deadline. If they don’t, nan Patriots will astatine slightest person much draught picks to proceed adding players that align pinch their coaching philosophy.