The Patriots Load Up on Defense in the First Two Days of the Draft

On a day when most expected the Patriots to take an offensive weapon or blocker, New England zagged in traditional fashion by selecting a pair of small-school defenders who fit underrated needs.While many expected the team to use one of their many 4th-rounders to trade up in the draft, they stayed pat and added potential playmakers to their defensive front.

With the 42nd overall pick, the Patriots selected Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White. The relatively inexperienced, but physically intriguing athlete can line up anywhere on the defensive front and couldn’t ask for a better situation under defensive line guru DeMarcus Covington.

With #76 overall, the Patriots made their most polarizing pick of the draft by selecting linebacker/safety Marte Mapu out of Sacramento State. While many were annoyed by the organization taking its third consecutive defender with clear needs at receiver and tackle, it’s hard to fault New England for adding versatile athleticism to an aging defense. Especially given the lack of eye-popping mid-round talent in the offensive class.

Here’s a breakdown of New England’s day two additions and how they could fit in year one.

R2-46: DL KEION WHITE, GEORGIA TECH

Height: 6’ 5’’.  Weight: 285 lbs

Scouting Report

+ Scheme-versatile with surprising range and explosiveness for a bigger athlete

+ Length and shocking hands to consistently push the pocket

+ Productive career when healthy, despite converting from tight end as a redshirt sophomore

– Raw pass rusher who must diversify his plan and may be too stiff to consistently win the edge

– Played hurt after missing eight games in 2021 season due to a dislocated ankle

Patriots perspective: Adding to a defensive line with Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Christian Barmore, and Deatrich Wise might seem like a poor allocation of resources. But with Judon turning 31 years old before the season, Uche in a contract year, and Barmore’s availability consistently in question, the defensive line has been a sneaky need this offseason. White gives them an athletic, high-effort player who can line up all over the defensive front.

White is relatively new to the defensive line, but that background translates to his relative athletic score, where, like Christian Gonzalez, he scored above 9.9/10. The Patriots have put more of a premium on athleticism the past few seasons, and his selection reflects this philosophical shift.

White likely won’t be an every-down player early on, especially with the top-end talent New England has in its front. But that will give him an optimal chance to develop his pass rush repertoire and iron out the technical issues one would expect from a player with limited experience at the position. White will likely assume spot duties all over the defensive front as a top backup as a rookie, with the chance to assume a consistent early-down role if he outplays Anfernee Jenning and Jahlani Tavai.

R3-76: LB/SAF MARTE MAPU, SACRAMENTO STATE

Scouting Report

+ First Team All-American in 2022 who led Sacramento State with seven interceptions

+ Well-built athlete with the frame and burst to contribute from multiple alignments

+ Heavy-hitter with the IQ to beat blockers to the point of attack, tenacity to thrive as a blitzer, and toughness to excel on special teams

– Tore right pectoral muscle in February

– Lacks the speed and fluidity to play man against receivers and tight ends consistently

Patriots perspective:

Like defensive front, linebacker was another underrated area of need for New England this offseason. Ja’Whaun Bentley is likely the team’s future at middle linebacker with his leadership and uncommon run-stopping ability, but there aren’t any consistent playmakers behind him on the depth chart. Jahlani Tavai showed flashes last season, but he’s an older player who may be close to his ceiling. Behind Tavai is a collection of athletes with significant defensive shortcomings who are best suited on special teams and niche roles.

Mapu may fall into this category early in his career, but he has a much higher upside and the resume to project him as an impactful player sooner than later. Though fans were understandably pining for help on offense with New England’s last day two pick, he gives the defense another outstanding young athlete with exceptional physicality and intelligence. The Patriots also showed interest in Mapu during the pre-draft process, hosting him for a top-30 earlier this month.

Fans may hear the versatile defender’s name called more often on kick coverage than he will on defense, but with his talent, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mapu contribute in passing situations sooner than later. And with Devin McCourty enjoying retirement, this move could free up pseudo-linebacker/big nickel corner Kyle Dugger to play more true safety next to Adrian Phillips.