5 Patriots players whose stock is rising after OTAs

Keion White

It's a bit tricky for defensive players to really stand out during early practices since no contact is allowed between players. However, second-year defensive end Keion White has been impressing coaches on and off the field so far this offseason, which is more significant than it typically would be.

White was picked in the second round of the 2023 Draft, and the expectation was that he would become Matthew Judon's partner in crime as a pass rusher.

The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker has been the main contributor against opposing quarterbacks and has desperately needed help over the last three years. It was even more apparent last season when Judon suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4, and the pass rush appeared to leave with him.

Now that he's expected to be back in the lineup for this season, it's crucial to see a second-year jump from White, which Jerod Mayo believes could be on the horizon. The head coach detailed all the work he has been putting in this spring, revealing he's showing up every day and "actually kind of talking and leading those conversations, which I think is important."

Because the media was only allowed at a few OTAs, there wasn't much opportunity to see White's work firsthand. However, Mayo speaking so highly of what he's already seen from him is significant, and hopefully, it will transition to his performance on the field the rest of the offseason.