Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: LB Marte Mapu, Sac State
The 2023 NFL Draft is only two weeks away, and the Las Vegas Raiders still have work to do, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Raiders' offseason acquisitions helped shape a preliminary roster and displayed the needs for the upcoming draft.
The linebacker position is an area where the Raiders have failed to cover via the draft.
Fortunately, this year’s draft class offers plenty of depth across the entire draft.
Linebacker Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
Over the last few seasons, small school prospects have emerged and made it difficult to pass on. Several are late-round projections with the talent of early-round prospects.
The reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Mapu finished last season with 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for losses, one sack, six pass deflections, and two interceptions.
Mapu is a versatile defender who has played safety, linebacker, a cornerback in college, and quarterback and wide receiver in high school.
Listed at 6-2 and 217 pounds, Mapu has the prototypical size for the rising hybrid linebacker position. He has the strength and speed to drop to the line of scrimmage and has great coverage skills to cover any player inside the box and the nickel position.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mapu played 409 snaps lined up in the box as a linebacker, 77 on the defensive line, 113 times as a deep safety, and 926 times as a slot cornerback.
A good showing at the Reese’s Senior Bowl elevated his draft stock, but he suffered a dip last month after sustaining a chest injury while bench pressing.
The injury cost him to miss his Pro Day, but despite his injury, teams are meeting with Mapu, and he is expected to participate fully during training camp.
As for the Raiders, they would get a player who has true experience in multiple positions and can line up anywhere the team needs him.
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The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.
The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this offseason.
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