Mafi - DT Conversion

[Water Boy]

I know you are rolling your eyes as you read this, but based on the log jam at OG,
would it hurt to see if Mafi could learn 0 technique on the defensive line?

I feel like we are lacking beef upfront. He's listed as 6'3" 330.

I'd welcome any insight on the physical traits and skill set that would be necessary for an Olineman conversion to DT. I understand that technique takes years to develop and that alone probably makes it a pipedream, but if he's OG 4, what would we have to lose?

 

[Zuma]

I know you are rolling your eyes as you read this, but based on the log jam at OG,
would it hurt to see if Mafi could learn 0 technique on the defensive line?

I feel like we are lacking beef upfront. He's listed as 6'3" 330.

I'd welcome any insight on the physical traits and skill set that would be necessary for an Olineman conversion to DT. I understand that technique takes years to develop and that alone probably makes it a pipedream, but if he's OG 4, what would we have to lose?

I think I read he played on the DL in high school and maybe early college.

 

[jboston19]

He originally was a DT in college.

 

[Sicilian]

I'm not against the idea of a conversion if that's where he's best. But I'm going to push back on the idea of a logjam at OG:

Cole Strange is hurt, and we don't know what he'll be when he's back.
Sow is promising but is ultimately still a 2nd year player who played part time in 2023.
Leverett is a journeyman vet.
Robinson is a rookie.
Jake Andrews and Michael Jordan are as yet unproven.

This isn't a case of Mafi being blocked by three established veterans. We're going to need three, possibly four of the above (including Mafi) to win jobs in camp. I don't think we have the luxury of crossing one off the list already.

 

[Thunderhead]

Something something defensive players considerably more athletic than OL

 

[Wozzy]

There’s a logjam at guard?

 

[signbabybrady]

Bill could do it

 

[Water Boy]

I'm still scratching my head on what our offensive scheme will require. More outside zone apparently. Can Mafi play that style?

I think the drafting of Robinson is an indication that Mafi is not a great fit.

 

[Wozzy]

I'm still scratching my head on what our offensive scheme will require. More outside zone apparently. Can Mafi play that style?

I think the drafting of Robinson is an indication that Mafi is not a great fit.

They just gave Onwenu the largest offensive line contract in Patriot history, big, athletic and strong works in any style.

 

[Water Boy]

Hopefully with Sow, Strange, Mafi and Robinson in the mix we don't have to spend any more draft capital at OG anytime soon.

 

[State]

This idea has some merit.

 

[Wozzy]

This idea has some merit.

Except the part where they need a starting guard with Strange on PUP and don't need a defensive tackle at all.

 

[Ian]

On Sow playing left guard (via Mike Reiss this morning)

7. Sow's switch: Without Strange at left guard, 2023 fourth-round pick Sidy Sow took the most repetitions at that position this spring. In a sense, it was a return to his roots as he started 44 games at left guard while at Eastern Michigan (in addition to 11 at left tackle) before finding a home at right guard in his rookie NFL season (13 starts).

"It's been fun switching back over there," he said, noting the early chemistry he's had a chance to develop with left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.

Where has Patriots QB Drake Maye made strides this spring?

Minicamp ended on a high note, Tom Brady is now a Patriots Hall of Famer and eight other notes from this past week.

www.espn.com

 

[State]

Mafi was replaced late last year by Jake Andrews at LG. And that’s after multiple appearances.

Mafi looks more like a RG. But Layden Robinson is our backup RG, assuming Onwenu reverts to his natural position.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm not against the idea of a conversion if that's where he's best. But I'm going to push back on the idea of a logjam at OG:

Cole Strange is hurt, and we don't know what he'll be when he's back.
Sow is promising but is ultimately still a 2nd year player who played part time in 2023.
Leverett is a journeyman vet.
Robinson is a rookie.
Jake Andrews and Michael Jordan are as yet unproven.

This isn't a case of Mafi being blocked by three established veterans. We're going to need three, possibly four of the above (including Mafi) to win jobs in camp. I don't think we have the luxury of crossing one off the list

Quoted the wrong person.

 

[Wozzy]

On Sow playing left guard (via Mike Reiss this morning)

Where has Patriots QB Drake Maye made strides this spring?

Minicamp ended on a high note, Tom Brady is now a Patriots Hall of Famer and eight other notes from this past week.

www.espn.com

If Sow plays left guard, they still need a right guard... guard is still a position of need.

 

[JohnJH]

If Sow plays left guard, they still need a right guard... guard is still a position of need.

For the moment, the OL has more positions of need than desirable.

 

[Wozzy]

Mafi was replaced late last year by Jake Andrews at LG. And that’s after multiple appearances.

This isn't accurate.

After Strange re-injured his knee week fifteen in Kansas City, Mafi replaced him and started the next two games. Jake Andrews started the last game of the season. Why we don't know for sure, maybe injury, poor pay by Mafi, maybe he hit a wall, maybe they were playing for the future and getting Jake valuable reps that he didn't play early in the year. Mafi played a lot more, started more, and for stretches all season long.

Mafi looks more like a RG. But Layden Robinson is our backup RG, assuming Onwenu reverts to his natural position.

Mafi is only a guard as far as we know, Robinson played guard at Texas A&M... Jake Andrews played center.

Onwenu is probably staying at right tackle, the Patriots said earlier this year they viewed Sow and Strange as the incumbent guards... which means they were happy to have Onwenu at tackle and paid him as such. If Mafi and Robinson suck, I could see them bringing Onwenu back inside and using their lesser tackles outside to protect the interior of the pocket... but I doubt it.

Simply because between Calvin Anderson, Caedan Wallace, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zuri Henry and Tyrone Wheatley they should be able to find a left tackle. Between Antonio Mafi, Calvin Anderson and Layden Robinson they should be able to find a starting guard. Between Jake Andrews and Charles Turner they should be able to find a backup center.

Based on Sow on the left side instead of right it will probably look like this:

LT – Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry (PS),
LG – Sidy Sow, Cole Strange (PUP),
C – David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Charles Turner (PS),
RG– Antonio Mafi, Layden Robinson,
RT – Michael Onwenu, Tyrone Wheatley (PS),

Mafi is not a sure thing, he once weighed 411 pounds in college. He slimmed down to 340, so we know he can work on himself, but he had to keep working hard on himself this offseason. The year two jump is the most important one.

But NFL experience and playing time counts for something, it's a tall ask to assume middle round draft picks who didn't lift at either the combine or pro day are going to be strong enough to start this season.

 

[Pape]

This isn't accurate.

After Strange re-injured his knee week fifteen in Kansas City, Mafi replaced him and started the next two games. Jake Andrews started the last game of the season. Why we don't know for sure, maybe injury, poor pay by Mafi, maybe he hit a wall, maybe they were playing for the future and getting Jake valuable reps that he didn't play early in the year. Mafi played a lot more, started more, and for stretches all season long.



Mafi is only a guard as far as we know, Robinson played guard at Texas A&M... Jake Andrews played center.

Onwenu is probably staying at right tackle, the Patriots said earlier this year they viewed Sow and Strange as the incumbent guards... which means they were happy to have Onwenu at tackle and paid him as such. If Mafi and Robinson suck, I could see them bringing Onwenu back inside and using their lesser tackles outside to protect the interior of the pocket... but I doubt it.

Simply because between Calvin Anderson, Caedan Wallace, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zuri Henry and Tyrone Wheatley they should be able to find a left tackle. Between Antonio Mafi, Calvin Anderson and Layden Robinson they should be able to find a starting guard. Between Jake Andrews and Charles Turner they should be able to find a backup center.

Based on Sow on the left side instead of right it will probably look like this:

LT – Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Calvin Anderson, Zuri Henry (PS),
LG – Sidy Sow, Cole Strange (PUP),
C – David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Charles Turner (PS),
RG– Antonio Mafi, Layden Robinson,
RT – Michael Onwenu, Tyrone Wheatley (PS),

Mafi is not a sure thing, he once weighed 411 pounds in college. He slimmed down to 340, so we know he can work on himself, but he had to keep working hard on himself this offseason. The year two jump is the most important one.

But NFL experience and playing time counts for something, it's a tall ask to assume middle round draft picks who didn't lift at either the combine or pro day are going to be strong enough to start this season.

Agreed they will try to place okorafor at left tackle, but Wallace is a RT, not a left... Don't understand why that narrative was floated out there...

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I know you are rolling your eyes as you read this, but based on the log jam at OG,
would it hurt to see if Mafi could learn 0 technique on the defensive line?

I feel like we are lacking beef upfront. He's listed as 6'3" 330.

I'd welcome any insight on the physical traits and skill set that would be necessary for an Olineman conversion to DT. I understand that technique takes years to develop and that alone probably makes it a pipedream, but if he's OG 4, what would we have to lose?

Mafi was a defensive lineman in college and switched to offensive lineman due to his skill set. He was tried on the defensive line and it did not end well. I doubt it will ever be tried again.

NFL Draft Preview 2023: UCLA Football Offensive Guard Atonio Mafi

The Tongan defensive lineman-turned-offensive lineman reshaped his body and got himself on NFL teams' radars this year.

www.si.com