Patriots Select DE Keion White in Round 2

The New England Patriots went defense again with their second pick in the NFL Draft selecting defensive end Keion White with the No. 46 overall pick.

White recorded 54 tackles to go along with 7.5 sacks for Georgia Tech last season earning third team All-ACC honors. He stands at 6-foot-5, 281 pounds. He profiles as a physical, tough defensive end with some flexibility play inside.

HIs number one trait has to be his athleticism. White ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. He posted a 34-inch vertical leap and 9-feet, 9-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine and bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times with 34-inch arms. As a defensive end, he has a relative athletic score of 9.49. As a defensive tackle, he has a 9.91 RAS. Either way, he’s an elite athlete for his size.

White was also great value at 46. He was the No. 28 rated prospect on NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s pre-draft rankings and there are many others who considered him a fringe first rounders. White in fact attended day 1 of the NFL draft in Kansas City in anticipation of being a potential first round pick.

White is the second defensive player drafted by New England joins Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez who the Patriots took on Thursday with the No. 17 pick in Round 1.on Thursday night.

New England’s next pick is No. 76 overall (third round).

John Zannis