Bedard: Keion White and Kyle Dugger traded, Marcus Jones extended as Patriots' trade deadline activity ramps up

News items:

 • The Patriots made two trades tonight, shipping out former second-round picks for Day 3 pick swaps.

The Patriots are sending DE Keion White to the 49ers and get back a 2026 sixth-round pick, for a 2026 seventh and White.

Same deal with the Steelers for Kyle Dugger, sixth coming in, a seventh and Dugger going out.

BSJ's Mike Giardi is reporting that the Patriots are eating some of Dugger's big contract this season, although the amount is not known.

New England gets a 2026 6th-round pick for a 2026 7th-rounder and White, who had five sacks last season.

 • Patriots will be signing undrafted rookie safety John Saunders Jr. off the Dolphins' practice squad. The Patriots liked him in the pre-draft process.

 • No, the Patriots aren't done, and they are expected to be acquiring some players in the coming days, with depth at edge and running back at the top of the list.

 • The Patriots reached an agreement on a three-year extension with cornerback/punt returner Marcus Jones for a reported $36 million.

BEDARD'S ANALYSIS

 • The writing has been on the wall for White for some time, and ramped up on Sunday when he was a healthy scratch against the Browns. The second-round pick in Bill Belichick's final draft class posted five sacks and 16 QB hits last year, but he just couldn't gain any traction in Mike Vrabel's scheme. Not exactly sure what the issue was, but when he was on the field, he looked like a fish out of water. It didn't seem like he knew what to do other than bull rush.

White was my highest-graded Patriots edge defender last year, not that it was a great group.

These were his grades this season.

The 49ers, who lost Nick Bosa for the season, among others, should be a good spot with Robert Saleh and that attacking scheme, although I'm not sure why it would be different than what happened here.

 • It's a similar situation with Dugger, the team's top pick as a second-rounder in the 2020 draft. He just never developed beyond being just a box safety who played well going forward. He always struggled in coverage as his in-play focus and bad eyes led him to give up a lot of big plays and touchdowns. 

Last season:

This season:

 • Patriots, who saw edge Truman Jones depart from the practice squad this week to the Titans, are now thin at both spots.

Edge

Harold Landry - starter
K'Lavon Chaisson - starter
Anfernee Jennings
Bradyn Swinson (rookie practice squad)

Would not be surprised if we see Jahlani Tavai more there, at least in the interim. But the Patriots are looking for more at the position.

Safety

Jaylinn Hawkins - starter
Craig Woodson - rookie starter
Dell Pettus
Brenden Schooler
Richie Grant (practice squad)

But maybe they're OK with Schooler as a depth piece, but I assume they'll be looking for more.

 • Marcus Jones obviously deserves an extension, and the Patriots certainly got a deal. On the open market, he'd easily get $15-$16 million as a dual threat. Jones has arguably been their best-performing defensive player this season, and his toughness and physicality have been unreal for his size.

Jones could very well like where he is, doesn't have a great need to go elsewhere and try to live up to being a boundary cornerback, which he probably isn't over 17 games. He's got a great role here, has flourished in it, and the team obviously values him as a captain.

The Patriots have a bunch of guys they need to start retaining some key players - and staring the process of replacing them, which is why I would be surprised if any premium picks go out the door this trade deadline.

2026 FREE AGENTS

S Jaylinn Hawkins
Edge K'Lavon Chaisson
TE Austin Hooper
DT Khyiris Tonga

2027 FREE AGENTS

C Garrett Bradbury
RG Mike Onwenu
TE Hunter Henry
WR Kayshon Boutte
WR Mack Hollins
WR Demario Douglas
CB Christian Gonzalez (but have fifth-year option)
LB Christian Elliss
P Bryce Baringer
ED Anfernee Jennings
LB Marte Mapu
RB Antonio Gibson
QB Josh Dobbs