Source: 49ers trade for defensive end who was Patriots’ draft bust

The San Francisco 49ers made a notable move on Tuesday, acquiring defensive end Keion White from the New England Patriots. White, a 2023 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech, was considered a draft disappointment for the Patriots after a promising rookie season gave way to a quiet 2023 campaign. The trade involves the 49ers sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for White and a 2026 seventh-round pick. However, the deal will only be finalized once White passes a physical exam. White's early career showed flashes of potential, especially last season when he recorded five sacks, including an impressive start with 2.5 sacks in Week 1 against the Bengals and 1.5 in Week 2 versus the Seahawks. Despite this, his production has dropped off sharply this year, managing no sacks or quarterback hits in 123 snaps over five games. He was even inactive in the 49ers’ recent victory over Cleveland, indicating he had fallen heavily out of favor with the Patriots. The 49ers' urgency to bolster their defensive end depth is understandable, given their recent injury woes. They lost star pass rusher Nick Bosa early in the season, and other key players like Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Sam Okuayinonu have been sidelined with various injuries. Additionally, the team saw Trevis Gipson leave their practice squad on Tuesday, further depleting their options at the position. In response, the 49ers brought in White and also experimented with four other defensive ends during Tuesday’s practice, signaling their determination to find effective pass-rushing help before another tough road game against the New York Giants. Financially, White’s contract is manageable and fits well within the 49ers’ salary structure. He is earning $1.5 million this season and is slated to make $1.8 million next year. This modest deal aligns with the team’s strategy to build sustainable depth rather than chasing high-priced veterans like Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson. While the 49ers could still pursue marquee names before the trade deadline, White represents a low-risk acquisition who might regain his rookie season form in a new setting. Besides the defensive line shake-up, the 49ers also made a minor roster move by adding offensive lineman Andre Dillard to their practice squad, replacing Brandon Parker. The team decided to maintain their afternoon practice schedule this week despite an upcoming early Sunday game, with sessions set for Wednesday through Friday to prepare mentally and physically for their next matchup. Historically, the 49ers have frequently been active around trade deadlines, often targeting defensive ends to shore up their pass rush. Recent years have seen acquisitions like Chase Young and Randy Gregory, and even bigger moves at other positions, such as the trades for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2017 and Christian McCaffrey in 2022. With the current injury crisis, it’s clear the 49ers are looking to continue that tradition by adding depth and potential upside in Keion White.