Patriots’ Keion White (Kind Of) Has Fan In 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers are more talented than the Patriots at just about every level, but there’s one member of Jerod Mayo’s squad San Francisco is (rightfully) worried about.

Keion White — or as he’s known to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan — “No. 99.”

“No. 99? I think it’s No. 99. I could be blacking out, though,” Shanahan said when asked about White on Friday, per Oliver Thomas of Pats Pulpit. “… He’s a hell of a player. This is the first time I’ve really been able to watch him this year. He’s great on the outside, sets the edge as well. And him as a rusher on the inside, too, is just as scary. So, he’s a hell of a player.”

White is understandably at front of mind for San Francisco, having earned a 91.0 pass rush grade, per Pro Football Focus, which is tied for third amongst all edge rushers in the NFL. New England’s top rusher also has four sacks through the first three games of the season, which is tied for second, and his 21.7 percent win rate is ranked seventh.

White has done a seamless job of filling in the pass-rushing void left by former Patriots’ defender Matthew Judon, who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons back in August.

Shanahan might not know him by name yet, but soon enough he’ll get a first-hand look at No. 99.