Keion White NFL Draft Overview
Position: Edge Defender
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 285 pounds
School: Georgia Tech
2023 NFL Draft: Keion White Scouting Report
After experiencing one of the wildest college careers you’ll ever see, Keion White has finally declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. The edge defender finished his final year in school on a high note, recording 54 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, and 7.5 sacks.
Interestingly enough, Keion White originally began his football journey as a tight end at Old Dominion. However, he switched to the defensive side of the ball in 2019 after his redshirt freshman season. After missing the 2020 season thanks to COVID, White transferred to Georgia Tech and the start of the 2021 season. However, injuries limited him to just four tackles during his first season with his new team.
Strengths
- Physically gifted marvel – a near-unmatched combination of build and athletic potential;
- Potential to line up at multiple positions along the defensive line;
- Strength shows up on bull rushes – collapses the pocket pushing tackles back;
- Insane straight-line speed and burst off the snap – you don’t want to be in his way when he’s got a head of steam;
- Chases down plays to the opposite side of the field.
Weaknesses
- Still learning the position, which is problematic when he’s already 24;
- Straight-line player – goes through tackles, not around them;
- Not a tactician – if a tackle can match his strength, there’s not much else he can do;
- Doesn’t diagnose blocks, just charges into the play;
- Can get taken out of the play if a lineman gets two hands on him.
NFL Comparison: Jack Crawford
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: Rounds 2-3
Bottom Line on Keion White
Keion White is a high-risk, high-reward player that is just as likely to be a double-digit sack guy in three years as he is to be exclusively a special teams player. In terms of what he can do, Keion White is second to none in this class. The Georgia Tech product is an absolute freak of nature, blessed with elite size and strength.
At his best, White’s athletic gifts allow him to plow through opposing blockers, get after the quarterback, and chase down anyone that might have the ball. He has the build to hold up both as a true defensive tackle and a defensive end, so he could move inside on clear passing situations. Historically speaking, athleticism correlates very well with edge defender success, so whichever team ends up drafting White has a lot to work with.
However, that’s White at his best, and we don’t see that all the time. The 24-year-old is still learning the nuances of the position, which is a little worrisome. While he did come into college as a tight end, he’s had four years to learn the position, and he should be further along than he is. As is always the case with these older prospects, there is a chance that we’ve already seen him hit his ceiling.
If this is the case, then White can still be an adequate rotational player with flashes of brilliance, but he won’t be anything more than that. The defensive lineman makes plays by being bigger, stronger, and faster than everyone, and he won’t have the same athletic advantage in the NFL. Ideally, the right coaching staff will be able to improve his consistency and turn him into a reliable starter, but there is no guarantee that actually happens.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
