The Chicago Bears are going to need to add to their defensive line in the 2023 NFL draft. One very interesting name would be Georgia Tech edge rusher, Keion White. What does he bring in his transition to the NFL? Who is his best NFL comparison?
Chicago Bears NFL Draft Profile: Georgia Tech Edge Rusher, Keion White
Interestingly enough, Keion White started his carer at Old Dominion and was on the offensive side of the ball. After being a FB/TE, he moved to the edge and immediately thrived. White had 45 pressures in 2019 and transferred to Georgia Tech. He sat out 2020 with the COVID restrictions and missed the first eight weeks of the season due to an ankle injury.
So, with a two-year drop in production he was falling under the radar, Keion White bounced back in a big way in 2022 with 41 pressures, his first real chance at rushing the passer in the ACC.
White finished his career with 1,290 snaps and 606 pass rush reps. He had 655 of those, and 310 pass rush snaps come at Georgia Tech. Overall, he spent 124 as an inside rusher and the rest outside as an edge. He played with his hand in the dirt but did drop into coverage 43 times.
Keion White was invite to the Senior Bowl, and participated in the NFL combine.
White checks all of the boxes from a size, and athletic standpoint. If anything, he may be a bit big for the outside and is closer to being a tweener. The athletic ability helps with that.
How Keion White translates to the NFL
There are flashes where you can see White and his athletic ability on full display and see an NFL player. He knows how to use his length and he can generate speed quickly. White plays with a relentless motor and is tough to push in the run game as well.
Good example of why #GeorgiaTech DL Keion White #6 made @BruceFeldmanCFB freak list and NFL scouts believe he’ll be a day 2 pick.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 26, 2022
Not many 290-pound DL have the juice to turn and run with the RB downfield like this 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/DpHgiA6FL6
However, his game is still limited right now. He pushes with his shoulders too much and needs to utilize his length more. He also does not have a variety of pass-rushing moves and just looks to overwhelm his opponents. While you can see the ability in moments, he is more of a straight-line mover, and his change of direction can be questionable.
There is a case to be made that he has traits you cannot mold and that he can develop more of his skill set in the NFL. At the same time, he is going to be an older prospect, and his best fit may be a rotational edge who can defend the run, and rush with power.
NFL Comparison for Georgia Tech DL, Keion White
The best NFL comparison for Keion White is John Franklin-Myers. They definitely have similar physical traits.
White has a little more length and may be able to unlock that for more upside. However, JFM uses his length well. JFM moves up and down the Jets line and they get him plenty of snaps filling in for everyone, even though he is a rotational rusher. He can defend the run, and win with power, and that would be a great fit for Keion White at the next level.
Should Chicago Bears Draft Keion White?
Before the Senior Bowl, Daniel Jeremiah had Keion White in the top 10 of his mock draft. However, since then teams are seeing that he is a bit rawer. He is also older than someone like Travon Walker and did not have that same pre-draft rise. However, he could fill a similar role in a less version.
According to Mock Draft Database White has a projected slot at 51. If he fell to the Chicago Bears, they could definitely use his run defense. We know that Ryan Poles will not pass on an older prospect if he thinks he can play, and we know that the hustle and intensity that White plays with would go over well with Matt Eberflus.