Patriots might have discovered their latest secret weapon during training camp

The Patriots are in full evaluation mode as they head into their first preseason game of the year on Thursday, which will give Jerod Mayo and his staff a good opportunity to see a more accurate depiction of where the roster is developmentally.

The focus has primarily been on the offense, as the weaker side of the team, and they've been experimenting with many different looks throughout training camp this summer.

Mayo made it clear they were prioritizing improving the offensive roster this offseason, which they proved by selecting seven players on offense of their eight picks in this year's draft. And although they ultimately missed out on acquiring Brandon Aiyuk, they still heavily and seriously pursued him with their best offer.

Now that they have withdrawn their offer and are focused on the players they do have, they are continuing to test out different combinations along the offensive line and receiving corps. However, they took their experimenting to an extreme level on Tuesday by throwing in a former tight end turned pass rusher into the offense as a possible honing of a secret weapon that could put the team over the top.

Patriots might use Keion White in an underutilized position in the NFL

Expectations are high for Keion White as he enters his second NFL season, especially after an underwhelming rookie campaign and questions surrounding Matthew Judon's status in New England.

Fortunately, the defensive end has stood out for all the right reasons during practices this offseason, with even Mayo praising his effort and development in the spring. He's clearly made an impression on the coaching staff, as they chose to use him as a fullback during Tuesday's red zone drills, a position he's never played before but does have experience as a tight end.

The Patriots haven't utilized a fullback much on their roster over the years, with Jakob Johnson being the last player rostered at the position during the 2021 season. The 49ers have become known for integrating fullbacks in their offense, as Kyle Juszczyk has become one of the best in the league over the last several years.

Could Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt be onto something by testing White out on the offense?

It's certainly possible and shouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities, as they will want to do all they can to make the offense as good as it can be. White is a great size and would be dominant on the offensive line or be utilized in an offensive play, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to experiment with him beyond the defense.

How much Van Pelt will test this out is yet to be seen, but it's exciting to think of the possibilities adding White could bring to the offensive game plan, that's for sure.

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