2023 NFL Draft Profile: EDGE Keion White

Georgia Tech’s Keion White broke out in 2022 to firmly put himself on the radar for the 2023 NFL Draft. White began his collegiate career as a tight end for Old Dominion in 2018. He made the switch to defensive end in 2019 and had a good degree of success, registering three and a half sacks and 19 tackles for loss. White was forced to miss the 2020 season as the Old Dominion program didn’t play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After transferring to Georgia Tech, White missed the first eight games of the 2021 season with a broken ankle and wasn’t able to produce much in four games once he returned. The Raleigh, North Carolina native used his pandemic-triggered extra year of eligibility to come back in 2022 and have a really strong season. Last season, White had 7.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 54 total tackles en route to Third-Team All-ACC honors.

Strengths

Length/Quickness Combination: White’s athletic profile is certainly his top selling point. With 34″ arms, he has the length that NFL scouts look for at the EDGE position. He’s able to combine that long frame with quickness and burst, which enables him to win the around the edge against offensive tackles with a punch and swipe move he goes to frequently. He’s often able to create first contact with the tackle, allowing him to control the rep from there. Not to mention, his above-average weight and strength for the position gives him the flexibility to kick inside on passing downs.

Hustle/Motor: White’s effort really stands out on tape. He’ll always pursue from the backside on runs going away from him, and he’ll consistently fight through the inside shoulder of linemen trying push him upfield on runs between the tackles. As a result of this effort he’s a very solid run defender. His motor shines during pass-rush reps as well. He’ll often stick with a play and get a sack or tackle late in the down.

Weaknesses

Coverage Ability: Georgia Tech didn’t drop White into coverage very often. But when they did, you could see why they didn’t ask him to do it more. White is not a fluid athlete moving backwards, and looks awkward and clunky in space. If asked to cover a running back he can be exploited on wheel routes or angle routes. His change of direction isn’t great, so he won’t be able to click and close very well in zone coverage. These limitations will probably confine him to 4-3 schemes at the next level.

Pass-Rush Plan: It’s perhaps understandable, given White spent his first collegiate season as a tight end and wasn’t able to play football in 2020, but he currently lacks the assortment of pass-rushing moves he’ll need in the NFL. Right now, his arsenal pretty much consists of a bull rush and a two-hand swipe to the outside he can use off of it. That’s a big enough bag in college, but he’ll need more options against NFL tackles. He’ll occasionally use a spin move back to the inside, but it’s not exactly Freeney-esque and only works if the quarterback holds the ball for too long.

Ideal Role

Left End in a 4-3 Scheme: White doesn’t project as an ace pass rusher, but he should develop into a sturdy, complimentary end that plays the run well and adds just enough pass rush. He’ll probably need to keep his hand in the dirt in the NFL, so teams who use four-man fronts should value him as a quality rotational player early on at the very least.

Potential Fits

If White comes off the board late in first round, the New Orleans Saints make sense as a landing spot. They just lost Marcus Davenport in free agency and White is the kind of power end they’ve historically favored.

If he falls to the early second round, the Las Vegas Raiders could see him as an eventual Chandler Jones replacement and logical compliment to the more rush-oriented Maxx Crosby.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.