Patriots' Mapu Release Highlights Draft Misses

0:00It's April 7th. This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the season. The New England Patriots are set to release cornerback, Marta Maapu, after just three seasons. They took him in the third round, 76 overall, back in the 2023 NFL Draft. That was one of the final picks under Bill Belichick, and now, with Mike Rabel calling shots, Maapu just didn't stick. He appeared in 44 games, but started only 10, and last year he saw zero starts, mostly handling special teams duties. ESPN's Mike Ress dropped the news on Tuesday that the team's moving on from the third rounder, calling it a clear miss. Fans are hurting over this one, because the very next player off the board was Ed rusher Byron Young, who's racked up 27.5 sacks, and earned a pro bowl nod last season. Right after that came tight end Tucker Kraft, who's been a beast for the Packers with Jordan Love before his injury sidelined him. It gets worse between Maapu's spot and the Pat's next pick, where guys like running

1:03back Devana Shane, corner Riley Moss, who led the league in passes, defended defensive tackle Kobe Turner, with 24 sacks over three years, and receiver Michael Wilson, who hit a thousand yards last season, all. Got snatched up. This bust highlights how draft decisions can sting long term, especially as New England rebuilds its defense heading into the off season.