Finding Broncos: Marte Mapu | LB/S | Sacramento State

Finding Broncos scouts the 2022 NFL Draft with a defensive hybrid from a small school.

Measurements

• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 217 pounds
• Arms: 33-3/8 inches
• Hands: 9-3/8 inches

Pros

• Has an extremely versatile skill set. 
• Has solid range and is extremely physical. 
• Has good length and a good build.
• Was used all over the defense at Sacramento State with success. 
• He spent most of his 2022 season as a nickel, allowing only one touchdown to two interceptions and three passes broken up. 
•  Extremely athletic. 
• Has excellent lower body fluidity allowing for smooth change of direction. 
• Has a good feel and awareness on the field. 
• Despite his wide range of usage, he has a good grasp on each role he has played. 
• Quick to diagnose plays and doesn't bite badly on play-action. 
• Discipline pre-snap to the whistle. 
• Has shown a good recovery when he does get beaten to get back on track. 
• Had a great week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and stood out at Senior Bowl before an injury. 
• Has the ideal traits to develop into a tight-end eliminator in the NFL. 
• While the range for a single high safety role isn't there, he does have enough range for a two-high. 
• Has demonstrated really good ball skills. 
• Quick to trigger downhill against obvious runs. 
• Flies through the holes to get to the ball quickly. 
• Doesn't lose patience to make the play when defending the run. 

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Cons

• While he is a different player, the NFL has struggled to make players like Mapu work. 
• Sometimes is an all-or-nothing tackler with 24 missed tackles the last two seasons. 
• Doesn't do well when taking on blocks. 
• Getting off of blocks can be problematic for Mapu. 
• For as physical of a player he is, that physicality is lacking when engaging blocks. 
• His issues with handling blocks will keep him from being a full-time linebacker. 
• Can get lost in the open field when meeting shifty ball carriers. 
• At times can get overaggressive in the open field and overshoot the tackle. 
• Doesn't have a sudden stop, which hurts his ability to change his direction. 

Overview

Marte Mapu is a versatile defender many will want to limit as a box safety, but his best work came as a nickel. While he can work in the box, he isn't consistent enough with handling blockers to be there full-time. There is also a solid range to be part of a two-high system in the NFL. His best use will be working as the versatile defender that he is and as a tight-end matchup. 

Mapu has the size and physicality to match up well with tight ends in coverage and can work so well in a man or zone system. He flies around the field and plays with good discipline. Defensive coaches who love versatile defenders are going to love Mapu. 

Fit with Broncos

The Denver Broncos have their defensive coordinator in Vance Joseph, who loves versatile defenders. In his system, the more you can do, the better, and Mapu is a great fit for what Joseph likes to do. Throughout the years, Joseph has tried to find and develop these hybrid-type defenders, but success hasn't been found. 

Mapu has a lot more to work with, and his reliability in coverage is greater than those others Joseph has tried to make work. However, as the Broncos look to add to their safety room, Mapu stands out as a fit with the scheme and personnel. 

Grade: Top 100

Projecting Draft Slot: Round 3

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