The New England Patriots have decided their 2023 third-round pick has gotten enough chance.
They plan to release Marte Mapu, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss in a new post on X on Tuesday morning.
Mapu is entering the last year of his contract and was due just $1.5 million, so this isn't a financial move. It's just the Pats deciding to move on.
The former No. 76 overall pick played college football at the FCS level at Sacramento State.
He was viewed as a 'tweener as either a safety or linebacker coming out of college.
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Mapu settled in at linebacker, and he also served in the personal protector role on the New England punt team.
Over three seasons, Mapu played 44 games, starting 10 of them.
He made one interception in each of his three seasons and forced five total fumbles.
Mapu had 89 tackles in three years, including a career-high 46 in just 10 games in 2024.
Some salty Patriots fans are quick to point out the players drafted directly after Mapu.
Mapu went No. 76 in 2023. The 77th pick was Byron Young, the impactful pass rusher for the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers got tight end Tucker Kraft at pick 78. And at the 79th selection, the Colts got talented receiver Josh Downs.
It hasn't helped the Mapu pick age well, and now apparently he's done with the Patriots.
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