The New England Patriots continued to stockpile defensive players by taking Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu with the No. 76 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft.
This is the Patriots’ third straight defensive pick of the draft behind Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Georgia Tech’s Keion White.
Mapu closed out his college career at Sacramento State with 76 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections and one forced fumble. The Patriots have been looking to get more athletic at the linebacker position, and Mapu is a player that can give them that sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability on the field.
His presence along the defensive front will make the unit even more formidable in the 2023 season.
Defense has clearly been the focus for the Patriots, and while Mapu has the potential to be a great player, one has to wonder if New England has enough firepower offensively for it to even matter.
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