The New England Patriots took linebacker Marte Mapu out of Sacramento State in the third round with the 76th overall pick at Friday’s continuation of the 2023 NFL draft.
The Big Sky Conference player of the year now makes his way to New England, during a draft that has highlighted the importance of defense for the team.
The Patriots used three draft picks in total on Thursday and Friday—all on the defensive side of the football. Mapu comes to New England with versatility.
Not only was he a tackling machine with the Hornets, but he also came away with two interceptions and six pass deflections. He now gives the Patriots another speedster to boost the defense.
Let’s take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions to the draft selection.
Christian Gonzalez
Keion White
Marte MapuNot a huge fan of day 2 but I’m seeing the vision lol
— Sam (@Sam4Cs) April 29, 2023
Marte freaking Mapu with Josh Downs and Darnell Washington on the board at #76 pic.twitter.com/a0Gv67AeCK
— 603 Patriots (@603Patriots) April 29, 2023
Imagine being on the verge of losing your job and you draft Marte Mapu while having no offensive weapons and a terrible o-line lol
— Joseph carlson (@Josephc31983724) April 29, 2023
Bro Marte Mapu is a DOG I actually love this pick. He tackles everyone like it’s the last time he will ever play football. Dude is a monster and absolutely CRACKS people and is all over the field all the time. There is time for a offensive weapon. Just not a 1st or 2nd rounder.
— Zach Palmer (@zpalmer012994) April 29, 2023
Ofc the patriots got marte mapu. They are about to mold the hell out of him
— JT (@tritt15) April 29, 2023
Im just happy the patriots landed Marte Mapu had my eye on him all day
— Dylan benoit (@Dblock518) April 29, 2023
Didn’t do ANY scouting on Marte Mapu but everything I’ve read on him so far has been GREAT
— Connor (@PatriotsNV) April 29, 2023
Dang, only made it to mid third round before someone I never heard of was picked. Marte Mapu? Leave it to the patriots lol 🤷♂️
— Tyler Hartigan (@TylerHartigan) April 29, 2023
Marte Mapu is a sneaky good pick…
— 31W🌎RLD. (@_z16deryl) April 29, 2023
The Marte Mapu pick is such a Patriots pick
— Section 312 Sports (@sect312sports) April 29, 2023
Deciding I’m giving Marte Mapu a chance, lot of people saying great things about him and more importantly we have the same initials, MM’s are always elite!
— Michael Magaletta (@mikemagz07) April 29, 2023
Marte Mapu is a #Patriots kind of pick. Arrogant scouting to take a hybrid LB/DB who didn't get a #Combine invite. #NFLDraft
— Alex Larsen (@alexjjlarsen) April 29, 2023
Can Mac throw to him? 🥴
— C4bez0n (@C4bez0n) April 29, 2023
At least we got Gonzalez pic.twitter.com/fsYqkdGzp5
— VM27 (@VM_2277) April 29, 2023
Stop. It's clear BB and Kraft don't like Mac. But it will be Mac fault when the o-line gives him 3 seconds before having 3-4 defense players in his face. BB and Kraft are back in their old ways
— Old Man Mob (@BladeUnholy) April 29, 2023
Let’s be honest here Mape could’ve waited until the 4th round there hasn’t been a single offensive player drafted YET what are you guys doing!!!!
— PurpleHeart💜🕊🪬 (@JBoogie2494) April 29, 2023
Dawand Jones or Blake Freeland, guys … I know that we can make it. If you want to spoil us a bit, then Darnell Washington and AT Perry would be nice
— JD (@J_Javierdiaz) April 29, 2023
He looks like he’s good but can we get some offense somehow
— Jmo ☘️ (@JmoKnowsBall) April 29, 2023
I'm a Bill guy 1000 percent, but our offense was horrible last year and we've added absolutely no dynamic ability to the team this year. Our most explosive player on offense is a DB.
— Jon Martin (@Burlman47) April 29, 2023
that will only be acceptable if you're planning to trade for a WR1,we have one of the worst offenses in the league but for some reason we're drafting defense 🙄
— Churned butter enthusiast (@________78____) April 29, 2023
— Jacob Jon Parker (@mr_jacobjon) April 29, 2023
There we go… there's the typical Pat's pick. No one ever heard of this guy, no actual position… not a position of need… way to go!
— Mike Doyle (@mikedoyle55) April 29, 2023
