The Houston Texans have added an intriguing player to their vaunted group with a trade for former New England Patriots draft pick Marte Mapu.
It is a significant change of plans from earlier in the day for Mapu, who is heading into his fourth NFL season, all of which have been spent in New England, including a Super Bowl appearance this past season.
Now, he will look to help the Texans get there.
Texans trade for Patriots’ Marte Mapu
GettyMarte Mapu #15 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during OTAs.
“The #Texans have traded for Pats LB Marte Mapu, per a source,” the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander reported in a post on X on April 7.
Here is how the trade breaks down, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss:
Texans get:
- Marte Mapu
- 2027 seventh-round pick
Patriots get:
- 2027 sixth-round pick
Mapu, who turns 27 in November, has experience at safety and linebacker. Selected 76th overall in the 2023 draft by the Patriots, Mapu had become a staple on special teams while still mixing in on defense.
He finished last season with 25 combined tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception. He joins the Texans with 89 total stops, 5 forced fumbles, 3 INTs, and 0.5 sacks.
Mapu has started 10 of his 44 career games played.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson corroborated the report with one of his own, noting in another post that the Texans’ trade was a change of plans for the Patriots and Mapu. The Patriots planned to release Mapu otherwise.
“The Patriots have informed LB/personal protector Marte Mapu that they intend to release him, per sources,” Reiss reported on X on April 7. “Mapu, a third-round pick in 2023, has appeared in 44 NFL games (10 starts). Enters last year of his contract in 2026 and is due a base salary of $1.508 million.”
Mapu joins a Texans linebacker room led by Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair and including Henry To’oTo’o and E.J. Speed.
Marte Mapu Still Looking to Find Niche
GettyMarte Mapu #15 of the New England Patriots prays before the game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The news sparked mixed reactions. One fan noted that the Patriots selected Mapu immediately ahead of (in order) Byron Young, Tucker Kraft, and Josh Downs.
Others lamented that Mapu failed to pan out, but the Texans are hoping to tap into his talent.
“Mapu has been praised for his versatility, but he might need to prove he can excel in at least one department — whether in run support or in coverage — at the next level. He lacks short-area athleticism and long speed, so his man coverage might be limited to tight ends,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the 2023 draft.
“Highly instinctive from short zone and is a very willing hitter when playing near the box. It won’t be a surprise if Mapu adds weight and locks in as a backup weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense as a pro.”
That assessment remains true for Mapu three years into his NFL career. The pick swap alleviates some of the pressures that could otherwise come from the trade.
Mapu joins a Texans defense that ranked first overall and second in scoring.
The Patriots eliminated the Texans from the postseason in the AFC Divisional Playoffs for their Super Bowl berth. Mapu did not record a stat in that game. He had 5 total tackles and 0.5 sacks during a regular-season meeting against the Texans in Week 6 of the 2024 campaign, though.
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