30 Days of Colts' Fits: Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State
The 2023 NFL Draft is officially just under a month away. In order to help you all along until draft day, I decided to start a daily prospect spotlight series to talk about some players that the Colts could target next month.
The players mentioned in this series will be players that I have either heard that the team is really high on or are players that just make way too much sense for the team based on fit/past draft history.
Next up on the countdown to Draftmas is Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu.
Background
Marte Mapu was a swiss army knife in high school, lining up as a quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, and safety prior to college. He redshirted during his first season at Sacramento State and then emerged as a linebacker for the team in 2018. He played in five games that year as a reserve and core special teamer.
Heading into the 2019 season, Mapu was on the move again. He was now a strong safety for the team, appearing in 11 games (starting in two) on the season. He finished the year with 18 tackles and brought down his first career interception against Northern Colorado.
His junior season in 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19, but he came back the following year at yet another position. He was the team's nickelback now, spending a majority of his time rotating between slot corner and outside linebacker. He finished the season with 65 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and four interceptions, earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors for his play.
Mapu finally remained at one position heading into his senior season, and the results paid off big time. He totaled 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, six pass deflections, a forced fumble, two interceptions, and a blocked kick on the year. He earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year honors for his terrific final season.
After the year, Mapu was invited to participate in the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl where he showcased his athleticism for the scouts in attendance.
Size/Testing
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
217 pounds
Arm Length:
33.375 inches
Testing Numbers:
N/A (Tore Labrum while training)
Ability on Film
Marte Mapu is a tweener on film, but it is hard to deny the impact that he brings to a defense. He is one of the more versatile players in the entire draft, and he has the speed and athleticism to excel at any position in the NFL.
Mapu is a pure playmaker. He has the energy to chase down plays from behind and the physicality to lay players out with big hits. This clip is one of my personal favorites of his from last year, as he runs the ball carrier down and forces a fumble with a huge hit.
Mapu has the length, the explosion, and the eyes to be a phenomenal pass defender in the NFL. He has plenty of experience in man coverage out of the slot and he has grown significantly as a zone defender over the years.
Mapu's overall tackling form needs some work, but nobody can question the power he has behind his pads. He tackles through ball carriers and loves to leave his mark on every play. His speed and strength pop constantly on film.
Fit with the Colts/Team Interest
It feels about that time again for Chris Ballard to take a linebacker in the draft. Bobby Okereke just left in free agency while Shaquille Leonard is still dealing with an injury that left him sidelined for most of last season. E.J Speed and Zaire Franklin are great pieces to have, but another draft pick added could never hurt.
Marte Mapu is my favorite day three player in this class. He is athletic and strong while also having incredible versatility. He also has extensive special teams experience on top of being a starter, logging over 200 special teams snaps (and a blocked kick) over the past two seasons.
The Colts haven't been directly linked to Mapu this cycle (so far) but he fits the mold of what the Colts like on day three. He is a high upside player that shined at the Senior Bowl and still found a way to thrive despite changing positions. That is a Chris Ballard guy if I've ever seen one.
Overall, Mapu would be an excellent addition to the Colts' linebacker group this draft season.
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Follow Zach on Twitter @ZachHicks2.
