With Josh Downs and others on the board, BB strikes again with another maddening mid-round pick.
Let's talk about it, I guess.
Let's talk about it, I guess.
Pats Round 3 Pick #76: S Marte "Silent Assassin" Mapu
- Thread starter SeoulSoxFan
- Start date
definite Kyle Dugger vibes... 6'2" 220ish fast, can play all over (sub LB, all safety spots) going to be a core ST, and hopefully the guy to cover the big fast "TE" players (Kelce, Kincaid, etc.)
Feeling better a little by little.
High probability I'll love the pick once he makes a missile tackle on a RB.
I just posted this in the DraftDay GameThread, but maybe better here: Could this be the DMcC replacement?
A better nickname comes from the Brugler writeup: "called the “silent assassin” by his college coaches for his humble personality but violent play"
So this guy I had to fast forward through youtube complete games with commercials just to see him play at all and tbh I watched him the last two weeks before the draft and didn't have the time to dig in enough.
The way I see it they need two guys like Dugger to go against teams that want to pass out of 12. That and Bill loves to play big nickel, right? This guy is your starting big nickel next to Dugger after Peppers and Phillips are off the team. Could easily be starting this year... or rotating... you never know. Once you get to round 3 boards are all over the place and Mapu should be a solid pick. 4/5 on my fits and would have probably had him higher had I been able to get tape easier.
To be fair I am not sure if calling him a limited athlete is appropriate.
The way I see it they need two guys like Dugger to go against teams that want to pass out of 12. That and Bill loves to play big nickel, right? This guy is your starting big nickel next to Dugger after Peppers and Phillips are off the team. Could easily be starting this year... or rotating... you never know. Once you get to round 3 boards are all over the place and Mapu should be a solid pick. 4/5 on my fits and would have probably had him higher had I been able to get tape easier.
To be fair I am not sure if calling him a limited athlete is appropriate.
Because he didn't test, we don't know his athletic ratings?
The Patriots surely do, though... He must rate really high, since they are hunting athletes lately. Right?
The Patriots surely do, though... He must rate really high, since they are hunting athletes lately. Right?
Are we sure Dugger will be here after next year? Maybe he is an eventual replacement for Dugger.
To expand on this, if he is as athletic as many think he is based on film and he’d run 4.47 and had good jumps and bench pressed a million times wouldn’t we all feel good about the pick?
Maybe but I think there’s easily room for both in todays game (and I hope they do resign Dugger because I love Dugger)-Dugger played with Peppers and/or Phillips all the time
Im always amused by the pats reporters saying we need to get new breed fast sideline to sideline 225 pound linebackers and BB doesn’t realize that in an era where BB is collecting 215-225 pound fast safeties
Dugger will be expensive. I’d take him-if you want a talented roster you need some second contract guys and better to have second contract guys who you’re resigning rather than take a chance on free agents
Lazar's take from Patriots.com:
The pick growing on me the most is the FCS linebacker and Senior Bowl standout from Sacramento State. We've been clamoring for a new-age linebacker with explosive closing burst and coverage upside, which describes Mapu to a tee. Mapu has a nasty downhill trigger to fire through the line of scrimmage and make forceful contact on ball carriers. He's also nimble and sudden enough to make plays in space. However, he needs to win with his athleticism because he was engulfed at times at the Senior Bowl by blockers who caught up to him.
Mapu stood out during American practices down in Mobile, similar to Kyle Dugger before the 2020 draft. Will the Pats allow a 220-pound linebacker, and he's really a second-level inside linebacker, not a safety, to play on all three downs? Along with his availability in camp, as he recovers from a torn pec this offseason, Mapu's projection largely depends on the coaching staff's willingness to play an undersized linebacker in a major role. Deion Jones is the ceiling.
The pick growing on me the most is the FCS linebacker and Senior Bowl standout from Sacramento State. We've been clamoring for a new-age linebacker with explosive closing burst and coverage upside, which describes Mapu to a tee. Mapu has a nasty downhill trigger to fire through the line of scrimmage and make forceful contact on ball carriers. He's also nimble and sudden enough to make plays in space. However, he needs to win with his athleticism because he was engulfed at times at the Senior Bowl by blockers who caught up to him.
Mapu stood out during American practices down in Mobile, similar to Kyle Dugger before the 2020 draft. Will the Pats allow a 220-pound linebacker, and he's really a second-level inside linebacker, not a safety, to play on all three downs? Along with his availability in camp, as he recovers from a torn pec this offseason, Mapu's projection largely depends on the coaching staff's willingness to play an undersized linebacker in a major role. Deion Jones is the ceiling.
The only downside to having small, fast linebackers is that they're really susceptible to power running teams. But most teams aren't that anymore. So yeah, if you play the Ravens, it'll be a challenge, but (a) you'll have a better chance matching up with Andrews, their best receiver, and (b) you'll have more speed to chase down Lamar. but for most teams, man, I'd rather they run. Would you rather have Pacheco get 25 carries a game and Mahomes throw just 20 times, or have Pacheco carry it 8 times and have Mahomes throw 37? I think Mahomes is the best offensive weapon in the league so the more they take the ball out of his hands because they want to run on the Pats' small defense, I'm happy with that.
I love this addition and think he'll be terrific.
I love this addition and think he'll be terrific.
He's another tool for BB to use, gameplan with, etc. I don't think the Pats want to be one thing or the other. They want good, athletic players that give them flexibility both to plan and to react once the game starts. That's really the only chance to compete with the best offenses.
Maybe? I seem that he'll basically be used like Peppers/Phillips, maybe playing downhill a little more and covering a little less, and that his play time will expand as those two play less and less. (Phillips is 31 and they'd save cap space if they cut him so if Mapu shows out early it wouldn't be shocking if Phillips got cut this year).
Coach Williams is one of the best guys on Twitter to follow. He is a D3 DB coach who also works with AI + creates VR Installs for his players... Oh and he does fantastic analysis:
Quick edit: He also has a youtube channel with great content on the NFL and draft prospects - typically DBs but not always.
View: https://twitter.com/mightykaos41/status/1654494083702816772?s=20
Quick edit: He also has a youtube channel with great content on the NFL and draft prospects - typically DBs but not always.
View: https://twitter.com/mightykaos41/status/1654494083702816772?s=20
for those who like me are wondering who that guard he obliterates in the later part of the full clip is, I looked it up....
That would be 1st team All-SEC guard and 3 year starter for Alabama Emil Ekiyor Jr.
I’ve got to say I suspect that most of the local media who criticized Mapu haven’t watched a single highlight of the guy. It’s not that he’s going to be a good player or not, he obviously could bust, but seeing what an explosive hitter he is it’s pretty obvious why BB loved him and why he might be an absolute monster
Mapu gets his chance yesterday with Dugger and Peppers out, 93 snaps, 78 on defense. Wore the green dot which is impressive for a guy just off the injured list. Nice piece on Pats.com about him.
23 draft looking pretty good, Gonzalez, White and Mapu all key defense guys and Boutte and Douglas the leading receivers. Great block by Boutte on Rham's TD run.
https://www.patriots.com/news/mapu-impresses-in-sudden-season-debut
23 draft looking pretty good, Gonzalez, White and Mapu all key defense guys and Boutte and Douglas the leading receivers. Great block by Boutte on Rham's TD run.
https://www.patriots.com/news/mapu-impresses-in-sudden-season-debut
Fairly presumptuous to call Mapu a “key” guy
He didn’t embarrass himself against an anemic Dolphins pass offense and actually got on the field. It’s a step in the right direction but jury is still out
Wouldn't be shocked if Peppers gets cut, so we'll have a much better idea over the next few weeks what Mapu is made of.
His athleticism was pretty impressive. To my eyes, he took some bad routes and plugged the wrong hole a couple of times. Something to dream on though. He looks very quick and strong for his size.
I definitely noticed his angles were wrong at times and, as you mentioned, he plugged the wrong gap. But, some of that is the RB making a cut to another gap too. Not saying he was mistake free, but it is certainly possible he plugged the gaps he was supposed to and the RB made a nice move. I am encouraged with what we saw from him yesterday with the athleticism and being around the ball most of the day.
Yeah I was encouraged too. I saw him as kind of a tweener coming out of school, i.e., too small to be an impact LB and too slow to be an impact DB. But he looked like a demon yesterday. Plenty of speed and enough size to matter when he gets there.
Did Mapu break up the pass that Marcus Jones picked off? I couldn’t tell from the replay angles.
Yes that was mapu. I’m not sure what we have there but his effort level is high.