FOXBORO — The Patriots went so offense-heavy in the 2024 NFL Draft that executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf actually wound up apologizing to defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington for only selecting one defense player.
Covington didn’t mind. He said Wednesday before a Patriots organized team activities practice that he cares more about the team and doesn’t think in terms of offense vs. defense. The Patriots also needed to balance their orster out after the 2023 NFL Draft, when they selected defensive players, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, defensive end Keion White and safety/linebacker Marte Mapu, with their first three selections. White is a favorite of head coach Jerod Mayo to take a second-year leap.
Mayo singled out White, a second-round pick from Georgia Tech, when asked if he’s been pleasantly surprised by anything or anyone early in the offseason workout program.
“Look, Keion is doing a good job for us and I’d say also, Keion has kind of taken that step forward as far as being a leader,” Mayo said Wednesday before practice of the young defensive end. “Not as much vocally, but you see him actually leading the groups and working well, so if you need a name, that is a good one.”
White, 25, played 16 games, starting four, as a rookie and tallied 26 tackles with one sack, three defended passes, three tackles for loss and five QB hits. It was a quiet debut season for a player who showed dominant traits during training camp and the preseason last summer.
Mayo was asked to expand on the progress he’s seen from White.
“Yeah, look, his versatility, he’s always been a strong guy but I would say he is even stronger now and he is doing a good job,” Mayo said. “He is here each and every day, and in the meeting rooms, he is actually kind of talking and leading those conversations, which I think is important. And we always talk about that Year 2 jump, that’s the biggest jump you’re going to have.”
Veteran edge defenders Matthew Judon and Josh Uche haven’t been present for the two OTAs sessions open to the media. White has been working in a group that includes veterans Deatrich Wise, Anfernee Jennings, William Bradley-King and Oshane Ximines and rookies John Morgan III and Jay Person.
Even with Wise back and Uche and Jennings re-signed, there’s a path for more snaps for White this season as he continues to grow. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds and 4.79-second 40-yard-dash speed, he’s among the most athletic defenders on the Patriots’ roster. At his size, he could play anywhere from defensive tackle to outside linebacker.
“Every guy who’s going into that second year is trying to take that leap from their rookie year,” Covington said. “He’s done a great job. Came in in shape from the off-season. He’s done a good job of showing here every day.
“I talked to him about three things – showing up, being present and staying consistent. He’s done all three on an everyday basis. He’s been consistent for us. And long as he do that for us, he’ll be fine. He’s not worried about the future. He’s trying to stay present every day. He’s showing up being present, staying consistent, and he’s working hard which is what we want from our players. And so, I couldn’t be prouder of the way he’s doing things so far.”
Wise, a captain in 2022 and 2023, has also noticed White, who was one of the quieter players in the Patriots’ locker room last season, speak up more in Year 2.
“He’s doing a great job. He’s stepping up, taking on more roles, more vocal roles on the field,” Wise said. “He’s also producing too, on and off the field. He’s doing great.”
