Eagles draft: Georgia Tech DL Keion White’s length, power enticing as potential Birds selection

A deeper look at what one of the more intriguing players from the Senior Bowl could bring to the Eagles defense.

Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White sacks Central Florida quarterback John Rhys Plumlee during a game in September.Read morePhelan M. Ebenhack / AP

Published Feb. 16, 2023, 5:00 a.m. ET

The Eagles have three picks in the first two rounds, and our latest mock draft has them upgrading defensively: selecting a defensive back and versatile defensive lineman in round one and an SEC pass-rusher in round two.

The most intriguing player of the three is Georgia Tech’s Keion White, who had a masterful senior season and Senior Bowl week.

Entering college as a tight end at Old Dominion, White made the full switch to become a defensive lineman in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore. He had 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries en route to a second team All-Conference USA selection at defensive end.

After transferring to Georgia Tech before the 2021 season, White suffered a lower body injury and played the final four games with minimal production. In 2022 he finally showed up and showed out, with 54 tackles (14 for losses) and 7.5 sacks, rushing both from the interior and off the edge.

Kenyatta Watson, the director of scouting and pro liaison at Georgia Tech, said White conducted himself “as a pro” over the last two seasons.

“He was always in the defensive line coaches’ meeting room, trying to develop different paths which move, try to find any kind of edge you can find for the game on Saturday,” Watson said. “Just a very mature, cerebral young man who always was trying to find a way to get better.”

Enticing NFL tools

Entering the Senior Bowl, the buzz around White began to grow, especially when NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked him among his top 10 players ahead of the first practice.

White’s play on Day 1 of practice and beyond only buoyed the hype. He blew up run plays, using his 6-foot-4, 280-pound frame and strength to knife through the offensive linemen.

The same disruptiveness shows up on his film. He uses his strong hands to disengage blocks, possesses a quick first step to get into the backfield on running downs, and bulldozes offensive linemen into the backfield in pass-rush situations with speed-to-power conversions and swim moves. White also showed the ability to run stride for stride with running backs out of the backfield.

It was clear from the first snap in Mobile that White had a business-like approach in front of NFL personnel.

“He said every day he came out, it was a work day. He was trying to get better at some things and try to prove [himself] against some of the best offensive linemen in college football,” Watson said.

White will be 24 on draft day and has ready-made tools to be an early contributor as his pass-rush abilities continue to develop. He’s also expected to test well during on-field drills at the NFL combine, which could further raise his stock.

His ability to rush the passer as a three-technique and 4i (slightly over the inside shoulder of an offensive tackle) can give the Birds a dependable option if Javon Hargrave or Fletcher Cox moves on.