What to Know: Packers to host S/LB Marte Mapu on pre-draft visit
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers will reportedly be meeting with Sacramento State hybrid safety/linebacker Marte Mapu on an official pre-draft visit, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
Mapu has a big frame, standing 6’3″ and weighing 216 pounds. He did not participate at his Pro Day due to a torn pectoral muscle. Over his four-year career, Mapu played 1,746, with the majority of his playing time coming in the last two years. In total, 990 of his snaps came from the slot, another 484 in the box, and 152 as a traditional free safety. He also has just under 300 career special teams snaps.
In 2022 specifically, Mapu recorded ten pressures and made 79 of his 89 tackle attempts, along with 29 stops. He was one of PFF’s highest-graded safeties in run defense and also graded out well as a tackler–two aspects that the Packers could use on the back end, especially with how active their safeties are in the run game.
In coverage, Mapu allowed 44 completions on 65 targets, holding pass catchers to a modest 10.2 yards per catch. He also came away with two interceptions and three pass breakups.
At the NFL level, Mapu may be at his best playing linebacker, similar to current Packer Tariq Carpenter. But whoever lands him will get a versatile defender who can play a variety of roles. Right away, he has the opportunity to make an impact in the NFL on special teams.
For a closer look at Mapu’s game, here is a quick look at what The Draft Network had to say about him in a scouting report.
“Long, rangy, and physical are all the key adjectives to describe Mapu’s game. Serving a plethora of roles for the Sacramento State Hornets, Mapu’s physical traits were used to their fullest extent, lining up primarily as a nickel safety but also consistently making appearances as a stack backer, force player, and even as a single high safety. His athleticism quickly jumps out on film, pairing elite closing speed with innate lower-body fluidity that allows him to be extremely effective in both the pass and run game.”
Despite signing two safeties in free agency, this is a position for the Packers that remains a big need. Overall, the outlook of the position hasn’t changed all that much, with there being a number of one-year deals on the roster. For 2023, the Packers need to limit the number of big plays given up, along with finding more consistency and playmaking at the position in general.
With Mapu being a potential Day 3 pick or even an undrafted signed, he doesn’t necessarily cure the Packers of their issues at safety and may end up fighting for a roster spot. He would, however, add some versatility to the defense but will be at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage. At least early on, special teams is where Mapu is going to make his impact–a phase of the game that the Packers have really prioritized this offseason.