Patriots Trade Linebacker Marte Mapu to Texans

New England receives 6th-round pick in 2027 NFL Draft

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:37pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and white colors creating a dynamic, deconstructed visual.A cubist interpretation of a linebacker's explosive movements, reflecting the Patriots' trade of Marte Mapu to the Texans.Houston Today

The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Marte Mapu and a 7th-round pick in 2027 to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 6th-round pick in 2027. Mapu, a former 3rd-round draft pick, saw his defensive snaps decrease dramatically under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel last season.

Why it matters

This trade allows the Patriots to recoup some draft capital after Mapu's diminished role on defense, while the Texans add a young linebacker with potential to contribute on their defense and special teams.

The details

Mapu started 10 games for the Patriots in 2025, recording 89 tackles, 3 interceptions, 12 passes defended, and 5 forced fumbles. However, his defensive snaps dropped to just 12% last season as he was used more on special teams (58% of snaps). The Patriots will now look to fill the hole at linebacker in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

  • The trade was announced on April 7, 2026.

The players

Marte Mapu

A former 3rd-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2024 who has started 10 games over his 2 seasons with the team.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who oversaw Mapu's decreased role on defense last season.

Houston Texans

The NFL team that acquired Marte Mapu and a 7th-round pick from the Patriots in exchange for a 6th-round pick.

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What they’re saying

“This trade allows us to add a young, talented linebacker to our defense while also picking up an additional draft pick.”

— Nick Caserio, General Manager, Houston Texans

What’s next

The Patriots will look to fill the hole at linebacker through the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Texans hope Mapu can carve out a role on their defense and special teams.

The takeaway

This trade represents a shift in the Patriots' linebacker corps, as they move on from a former 3rd-round pick in Marte Mapu. The Texans see an opportunity to add a young, versatile player to their defense as they continue to build towards contention.