For the third pick in a row, the Patriots selected a defensive player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
New England selected Marte Mapu, a hybrid safety/linebacker from Sacramento State with the No. 76 overall pick during the third round.
Mapu said that he took 15 pre-draft visits, and joked that the trips helped him increase his frequent flyer miles. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound senior was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but performed well at the Senior Bowl.
“I think it was just a mix of my unique situation, being that I didn’t get to go to the combine and there were some questions that I had to answer at my Pro Day.