With one week to go until the NFL trade deadline, the New England Patriots already made their first moves. On Tuesday, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel shipped defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers and followed it up by sending safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The trades are following the same structure and background. In both cases, the team has parted ways with a former starter no longer a scheme fit under Vrabel; in both cases, a sixth-round draft pick in 2026 was gained in return for player plus seventh-rounder.

Besides upgrading their draft portfolio next spring, though, here is what the two trades mean for the Patriots.

Keion White: Traded to 49ers

Promise unfulfilled: In his first ever game with the Patriots, back as a second-round rookie in 2023,

See Full Page