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The New England Patriots are showing they’re worried about defensive end Keion White.

He’s supposed to be a breakout player ready to be a menace in a more aggressive defensive scheme, but it’s obvious the New England Patriots are worried about Keion White.

The versatile edge-rusher has looked anything but a nailed-on starter during recent practices, a trend that continued during the final week of preseason. White got more work than a first-teamer should during the Pats’ last exhibition game, a 42-10 defeat to the New York Giants on Thursday, August 21.

White got “extended work” with 30 snaps, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, who pointed out the snap count was “notable.”

Reiss is right to raise an eyebrow at how long White stayed on the field against Big Blue. It wasn’t a game for valuable starters, but rather an occasion for fringe players to convince coaches they should stick around and escape roster cuts.

White isn’t going to be involved in roster cuts, but head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams still needed to see more from the 26-year-old ahead of a pivotal season.

Coaches have had enough doubts for White to spend “time with the second unit” at training camp on Tuesday, August 19, according to Reiss. Williams made it clear he considers White still a work in progress: “Big, physical guy. Still a young player that has some development to do.”

The message is clear. White must improve or face a reduced role.

Patriots Need More from Keion White

Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf have since started the process of trimming the roster. Their moves included dumping a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, the same year White entered the pros as a second-round choice.

He was a highly touted prospect, but White has rarely lived up to expectations since. That’s despite being a physically imposing specimen capable of creating pressure from multiple spots, including along the interior.

What White hasn’t done is post the numbers to match his potential. A mere six sacks shows there’s still plenty of room to grow as a pass-rusher, but finding his best position has proved tricky.

The problem showed up against the Giants, when Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS highlighted White losing out to backup left tackle Marcus Mbow. Fortunately, White became “more effective on the left edge, highlighted by quick pressure on a jab-rip and drawing a hold,” shown at the 1:04 mark.

The contrast in how he played at either edge summed up White’s main issue. He’s advertised as a roving disruptor, but big No. 99 needs the continuity of a regular spot from where he can build his game.

Patriots Have Reason to Give Keion White More Chances

White may be on the cusp of losing out to free-agency imports Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson, a possible hidden gem, but there’s still ample reason for the Patriots to give him at least one more chance.

The reason involves White generating 41 pressures last season, a jump of 28 compared with his rookie year, per Pro Football Reference. Those pressures prove White can put heat on the pocket consistently, but he must unlock his full capability.

White has a better chance of doing that in the more active, pass-rushing front Vrabel and Williams have planned. The scheme should be the catalyst for White to finally prove his talents, but the Patriots aren’t hiding their reasons to worry about his less than impressive development.

James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko