Round 5 • Pick 9 (144) • G Atonio Mafi

Apr 24, 2019
1,278
Lazar on Patriots.com:

Yup, another wide-bodied guard in the middle rounds. Mafi is my favorite of the three interior linemen the Pats selected on day three, with an in-person look at the Shrine Bowl. He's another player, like Mapu, who wasn't invited to the combine. He's also another prospect, like Sow, who overpowers and sustains blocks with rock-solid playing strength. Mafi can move the line of scrimmage in the run game, shows adequate upper-body torque to turn defenders out of gaps, and pass-rushers won't go through him. Mafi's quickness to mirror twitchy pass-rushers is a concern. But he has starter upside because he's so solid in close quarters.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Mafi is someone who has a trump card, power, but has a bunch of flaws. He is a defensive lineman convert and it shows. He’s also someone who needs to manage his weight as he was tipping the scales at 400 a couple years ago. Mafi’s use of hands in pass pro needs work. Strike timing, independent use of hands, punch landing spots, lateral ability, awareness vs twists and stunts, you name it he needs to work on it. He can also be guilty of lunging and having his pad level shoot up leading to a lack of sustain on blocks. I like Mafi and he could turn into a starter at RG but he has some athletic limitations (especially laterally) and a laundry list of technique issues. You can’t go through him though and he definitely adds toughness to the line.
 

OldeBeanTowne

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2007
1,090
Any chance he could move back to NT? I feel like they could use a space clogger in the middle of the defensive line.