Patriots Cut Ties With 2023 3rd-Round Pick

Mapu failed to live up to expectations as a 'tweener linebacker/safety

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football field with overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the difficulty of evaluating and developing 'tweener NFL prospects.The Patriots' release of a 2023 draft pick highlights the challenges of developing 'tweener prospects from the FCS level.Today in Sacramento

The New England Patriots have decided to release Marte Mapu, their 2023 third-round draft pick, after three seasons with the team. Mapu, who played college football at the FCS level at Sacramento State, was viewed as a 'tweener as either a safety or linebacker coming out of college. Over three seasons with the Patriots, Mapu played 44 games, starting 10 of them, and made one interception in each of his three seasons while forcing five total fumbles.

Why it matters

The decision to release Mapu is notable because he was drafted just before several players who have gone on to have more successful NFL careers, including pass rusher Byron Young, tight end Tucker Kraft, and wide receiver Josh Downs. This has not helped the Mapu pick age well for the Patriots.

The details

Mapu is entering the last year of his contract and was due just $1.5 million, so this is not a financial move. The Patriots are simply deciding to move on from the former No. 76 overall pick after three seasons in which he played a rotational role on defense and special teams.

  • Mapu was drafted by the Patriots in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The players

Marte Mapu

A former 3rd-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2023 who played linebacker and served as the personal protector on the punt team over three seasons with the team.

Byron Young

A pass rusher who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 77th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, one selection after the Patriots took Mapu.

Tucker Kraft

A tight end who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 78th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, two selections after the Patriots took Mapu.

Josh Downs

A wide receiver who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 79th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, three selections after the Patriots took Mapu.

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The takeaway

The Patriots' decision to release Mapu highlights the difficulty of evaluating and developing 'tweener prospects, especially those from the FCS level. While Mapu contributed on special teams and in a rotational role, the Patriots ultimately decided to move on from him in favor of players like Young, Kraft, and Downs who have gone on to have more successful NFL careers so far.