Patriots Draft Class ’23: Why Marte Mapu will be a Bill Belichick favorite
With the No. 76 pick overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected an intriguing athlete in Sacramento State’s Marte Mapu.
A linebacker/safety hybrid, Marte presents as more of a big safety who can cover tight ends but is also a tough-nosed tackler who can stop the run. That versatility is huge for a coach like Bill Belichick because he is the type of player who can stay on the field for all three downs.
It is that ability to stop the run, cover in the passing game, and blitz quarterbacks that makes him a player to watch in training camp and perhaps the 2023 NFL season.
New England Patriots select Marte Mapu higher than he was projected
While selecting Mapu in the third round could be considered a reach, the ability he brings to the Patriots, especially in today’s NFL could prove to be a selection that strengthens the second and third level of the defense depending on where Mapu lines up.
In keeping in mind that Mapu is coming off a torn pectoral muscle and played at a lesser-known Division I school, there is an element of unknown when it comes to any immediate contribution, but there is upside there.
At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, he does fit the mold of today’s hybrid linebackers. Instinctive and with the ability to do different things on the field, Mapu knows what he brings to the Patriots’ defense.
"“I’d say I would describe my game by just having the fundamentals,” Mapu said during a conference call with the media. “I feel like I can run, cover, hit and make plays. I have good instincts. So I feel like that’s just how it is for me. The position I’m going to play, you’re going to see in the fall. I don’t really know how that’s going to fall into place. That’s going to be determined, but wherever I am, I’m going to work to be the best at it.”"
Certainly, an attitude to have playing for a coach Belichick and a team like the New England Patriots. Although both the safety and linebacker units have plenty of competition even with the retirement of Devin McCourty, Mapu will get his chance to win a position in this group.
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With the team set to face quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, having players on the field who can get after the quarterback, play the run and cover will be vital to Belichick’s plan on the defensive side of the ball in 2023. He also needs instinctive playmakers like Mapu who will certainly learn from players like Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, and Jabril Peppers.
As far as the smaller type linebackers go, Mack Wilson and Raekown McMillan came into their own near the end of the season and the projection for Mapu is that it will likely take him some time to learn behind those players as well.
Again, the intrigue with a player like Mapu is how Belichick and the Patriots will use him. The player has the right mindset and is willing to work hard no matter which position he is used.
"“In all honesty, I feel like everybody at the Patriots just does their job,” Mapu said when asked which past player his game emulates. “I hope to emulate something like that. Just being able to come in and execute at a high level. No buts, no missed assignments, and then just playing really good football all around.”"
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The right attitude and that answer already sounds like a player who plays for Belichick. Let’s see if he lives up to that Patriots mantra and does his job…whatever it shall be.