UCLA offensive guard Atonio Mafi was right there for the taking for a New England Patriots team that appeared hell-bent on addressing their interior offensive line depth at the 2023 NFL draft.
The Patriots used the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round to select the converted offensive lineman.
Mafi kick-started his collegiate career playing on defense, even earning a sack and four tackles for a loss as a defensive lineman in the 2019 season. But the real moneymaker for him was his abilities along the offensive front.
Mafi isn’t the most athletic player on the field, particularly in his ability to carry his weight with any form of lateral quickness, but he does have some size and power in the trenches.
UCLA offensive line coach Tim Drevno recently compared his build to Patriots offensive guard Michael Onwenu. If Mafi is half as good as Onwenu, he’ll be well on his way towards a long and prosperous career in the NFL.
Here’s what other media members were saying about this draft choice for New England: