The New England Patriots are starting to retool their roster. After losing in the Super Bowl last season, the team is determined to do everything it can to get back to the final dance. That being said, they’re also looking to rebuild their draft capital in the future to continue being contenders in the future.
With that in mind, New England made a move this season that slightly improves their draft capital in exchange for a current piece. The Patriots have traded former third-round pick linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans. In return, the Texans and Patriots swap their sixth and seventh-round picks in 2027.
Mapu was drafted by the New England Patriots with their third-round pick in 2023. He was billed to be one of the linebacker/safety dual-role threats that have been cropping up over the last few years, similar to the Justin Simmons archetype. Mapu has played in 44 games in three seasons for New England, starting in 10 games (most of which came in 2024). During that time period, the defender recorded three interceptions, 89 tackles, and 0.5 sacks.
Mapu played in all 17 games last season, mostly coming off the bench. In a stark contrast from last season, the Patriots placed the former third-round pick on special teams for most of the year. He played in just 12% of the available defensive snaps last season, but a whopping 58% of special teams snaps. Mapu was a solid special teamer, but New England never got the production they had hoped to see from the hybrid player.
With the Patriots’ linebacker group getting even thinner this offseason, expect New England to use the 2026 NFL Draft to address this issue.
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