Raiders Opponent Rookie Spotlight: Keion White

The Las Vegas Raiders will take on the New England Patriots and rookie edge rusher Keion White on Sunday.

When the Las Vegas Raiders host the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, they will face a reeling Patriots team.

The Patriots have lost four of their last five games, including a 34-0 home loss to the New Orleans Saints, their worst home shutout in team history.

The Raiders, coming off of a home victory over the Green Bay Packers, have a great chance to build off the win and gain confidence.

While the Patriots struggle in many areas, they are not struggling defensively. Despite injuries to key players, the Patriots still rank near the league's top in several defensive statistics.

The Patriots selected defensive end Keion White out of Georgia Tech in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His numbers do not stand out on the stat sheet, with only two total tackles and one pass defended, but that is mostly due to a lack of snaps.

White could see those numbers increase with the injury to star linebacker Matthew Judon. It also is natural for rookies to see an increase in snaps as the season progresses and they learn how to play professionally.

This has already appeared to begin, as White played a career-high 39 snaps against the Saints last week, according to Pro Football Focus. White came out of Georgia Tech as a technically raw pass rusher with athleticism to be molded, so he has the opportunity to refine his pass rushing moves with increased snaps.

At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, White has elite size that he uses, along with top-tier athleticism and quickness off the edge. While he still is not fully developed, he has the traits to become a top pass rusher in the NFL.

Coach Bill Belichick has developed players into elite edge rushers throughout his tenure. Judon was one of them, as he had his first double-digit sack season when he arrived in New England. Jamie Collins was another, as he was most effective during his multiple stints in New England and did not have the same impact when he played on other teams.

With injuries on the defensive line, White can earn more snaps and develop his pass-rushing ability. With Belichick’s history of developing pass rushers, White is in a favorable position.

The Raiders might not see much tape on White, but that doesn’t mean he won’t impact the game. Top pass rushers have caused problems for the Raiders this season, and if they don’t account for him, White could be the next one.

The Silver and Black will stay home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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