Camp surprise cut 2024

[203Pat]

Would Mapu getting cut be a surprise? I don’t see him as a FS, he’s got Dugger and Peppers ahead of him at SS, pretty small for a LB. What the hell is he for this team?

I’m a bit more annoyed about him being picked than I am about a guy like Thornton. At least with Thornton you can see what his role could be (if he could stay healthy and not run lousy routes and catch the ball a lot more than not).

They passed on multiple OT prospects they needed a lot more than a “tweener” like Mapu. Maybe he wouldn’t have lasted until the pick in the 4th round (#112) they stupidly used on a kicker, but FFS their debacle last year could not have been worse with say Dawand Jones (#111) and Pierre Strong rather than Mapu and Wheatley.

Here are some of the guys available at #76 and before 107 where they took Jake Andrews (too high IMHO) in 2023 who I think bring more to the table than Mapu:

Byron Young, DE
Tucker Kraft, TE
Josh Downs, WR
Devon Achane, RB
Wanya Morris, OT
Darnell Washington, TE
Michael Wilson, WR
Ricky Stromberg, C
Tre Tucker, WR
Kelee Ringo, CB
Blake Freeland, OT

I won’t bother listing Nacua here but obviously the whole league missed badly with him lasting to #177. So what the hell do I know? I hope Mapu makes me look like an idiot with this post

I proposed Mapu as a surprise cut basically because he's the type of guy Bill has been in love with forever. Most see guys like Mapu as a tweener but Bill seemed to love that safety/LB hybrid all the way back to Don Davis in the early 2000's, to taking a shot on Tank Williams, all the way through to Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger. Maybe Mayo being a traditional LB has no use for that role and Mapu is the odd man out.

 

[Wozzy]

Would Mapu getting cut be a surprise? I don’t see him as a FS, he’s got Dugger and Peppers ahead of him at SS, pretty small for a LB. What the hell is he for this team?

I’m a bit more annoyed about him being picked than I am about a guy like Thornton. At least with Thornton you can see what his role could be (if he could stay healthy and not run lousy routes and catch the ball a lot more than not).

They passed on multiple OT prospects they needed a lot more than a “tweener” like Mapu. Maybe he wouldn’t have lasted until the pick in the 4th round (#112) they stupidly used on a kicker, but FFS their debacle last year could not have been worse with say Dawand Jones (#111) and Pierre Strong rather than Mapu and Wheatley.

Here are some of the guys available at #76 and before 107 where they took Jake Andrews (too high IMHO) in 2023 who I think bring more to the table than Mapu:

Byron Young, DE
Tucker Kraft, TE
Josh Downs, WR
Devon Achane, RB
Wanya Morris, OT
Darnell Washington, TE
Michael Wilson, WR
Ricky Stromberg, C
Tre Tucker, WR
Kelee Ringo, CB
Blake Freeland, OT

I won’t bother listing Nacua here but obviously the whole league missed badly with him lasting to #177. So what the hell do I know? I hope Mapu makes me look like an idiot with this post

Adrian Phillips is gone, Mapu will get an opportunity to play more this year assuming he did all the things he should have this offseason. The Pats for a long time have been a three safety defense with one SS playing the role of weak side linebacker.

You said it, Mapu had a strong depth chart ahead of him, he has a bigger opportunity this season. He played the 7th most special teams snaps on the team last season, he did what he was tasked with doing as a rookie. I doubt he gets cut.

 

[Real fan 02]

Would Mapu getting cut be a surprise? I don’t see him as a FS, he’s got Dugger and Peppers ahead of him at SS, pretty small for a LB. What the hell is he for this team?

I’m a bit more annoyed about him being picked than I am about a guy like Thornton. At least with Thornton you can see what his role could be (if he could stay healthy and not run lousy routes and catch the ball a lot more than not).

They passed on multiple OT prospects they needed a lot more than a “tweener” like Mapu. Maybe he wouldn’t have lasted until the pick in the 4th round (#112) they stupidly used on a kicker, but FFS their debacle last year could not have been worse with say Dawand Jones (#111) and Pierre Strong rather than Mapu and Wheatley.

Here are some of the guys available at #76 and before 107 where they took Jake Andrews (too high IMHO) in 2023 who I think bring more to the table than Mapu:

Byron Young, DE
Tucker Kraft, TE
Josh Downs, WR
Devon Achane, RB
Wanya Morris, OT
Darnell Washington, TE
Michael Wilson, WR
Ricky Stromberg, C
Tre Tucker, WR
Kelee Ringo, CB
Blake Freeland, OT

I won’t bother listing Nacua here but obviously the whole league missed badly with him lasting to #177. So what the hell do I know? I hope Mapu makes me look like an idiot with this post

No. Mapu isn't getting cut. He's a hybrid can play LB/safety. He's a prototype of what today's NFL athletes are. He was a rook last year and played well down the stretch. He's an ascending young player and he will have a big role in the defense. He can cover backs out the back, he excellent in blitz packages, he can spy running QBs as well. He will be good. For us.

 

[rkarp1]

June 1 is around the corner and cap hit then spread to 2 seasons.
is JuJu first man up?
I have to think the Pats draft picks make Boutte a very long shot as well

 

[Real fan 02]

June 1 is around the corner and cap hit then spread to 2 seasons.
is JuJu first man up?
I have to think the Pats draft picks make Boutte a very long shot as well

I agree. But due to KB likely starting on PUP and juju salary he may be spared for this season. However he would have to show he has some burst in camp, if not then I believe they trade him or come to a injury settlement agreement.

 

[DaBruinz]

There's always one. Your predictions?

My pick is Chad Ryland. Might have been Strange but he's probably hitting PUP or IR.

How would Ryland be a surprise? They brought in 3 Kickers of which they signed Slye.

To me, a surprise cut would be Jake Andrews or Godchaux or Schooler.

 

[Real fan 02]

How would Ryland be a surprise? They brought in 3 Kickers of which they signed Slye.

To me, a surprise cut would be Jake Andrews or Godchaux or Schooler.

Godchaux and or schooler would be not so much Andrews IMO

 

[DaBruinz]

Godchaux and or schooler would be not so much Andrews IMO

I think that Jake Andrews would, most definitely, be a surprise cut since he'd pushed for playing time by the end of the year and actually saw time over Mafi.

It IS interesting that MAFI is taking center snaps, though.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think that Jake Andrews would, most definitely, be a surprise cut since he'd pushed for playing time by the end of the year and actually saw time over Mafi.

It IS interesting that MAFI is taking center snaps, though.

Agreed. But school is a STs ace,. All- pro. Godchaux is one of the best D lineman, run stuffers in the league.. more of a suprise cut to me.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I proposed Mapu as a surprise cut basically because he's the type of guy Bill has been in love with forever. Most see guys like Mapu as a tweener but Bill seemed to love that safety/LB hybrid all the way back to Don Davis in the early 2000's, to taking a shot on Tank Williams, all the way through to Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger. Maybe Mayo being a traditional LB has no use for that role and Mapu is the odd man out.

Don Davis at S was weird, but it was rare. I thought there was someone after Williams that BB wanted to be a SS/LB hybrid.

No. Mapu isn't getting cut. He's a hybrid can play LB/safety. He's a prototype of what today's NFL athletes are. He was a rook last year and played well down the stretch. He's an ascending young player and he will have a big role in the defense. He can cover backs out the back, he excellent in blitz packages, he can spy running QBs as well. He will be good. For us.

I don't see Mapu getting cut this early unless he is really bad like Duke Dawson who was traded very quickly after being drafted. But that's why this thread is asking who would be a "surprise cut".

I really hope Mayo puts him at LB to replace Bentley on passing downs. The S experiment needs to end as his reaction time of diagnosing plays is very slow. This is what I think he's biggest weakness is that he needs to clean up if he wants to make it in this league.

 

[p8ryts]

Don Davis at S was weird, but it was rare. I thought there was someone after Williams that BB wanted to be a SS/LB hybrid.

I don't see Mapu getting cut this early unless he is really bad like Duke Dawson who was traded very quickly after being drafted. But that's why this thread is asking who would be a "surprise cut".

I really hope Mayo puts him at LB to replace Bentley on passing downs. The S experiment needs to end as his reaction time of diagnosing plays is very slow. This is what I think he's biggest weakness is that he needs to clean up if he wants to make it in this league.

Small college program, had a lot to learn. If anyone has a major leap, it could be Mapu.

 

[Real fan 02]

Don Davis at S was weird, but it was rare. I thought there was someone after Williams that BB wanted to be a SS/LB hybrid.

I don't see Mapu getting cut this early unless he is really bad like Duke Dawson who was traded very quickly after being drafted. But that's why this thread is asking who would be a "surprise cut".

I really hope Mayo puts him at LB to replace Bentley on passing downs. The S experiment needs to end as his reaction time of diagnosing plays is very slow. This is what I think he's biggest weakness is that he needs to clean up if he wants to make it in this league.

Agree here. Duke dawson.. ugh.. how can I forget wasn't he a 1st? Or a high 2nd? Along the lines of the Cyrus Jones experience right? Bentley likely is going to play all 3 downs.. he's the leader of the defense.. wears the green dot.. we play so many dime and multiple formations that mapu will likely play LB in off the ball, blitz packages were his athletic ability can thrive. Having Hightower coaching will help him tremendously.

Yes Agree on the S experiences too. I know mayo wants competition in camp for FS but if it looks that position will be problematic than sign Simmons or a veteran.

 

[PScottman]

But I thought there was an implicit constraint of some chance of it really happening in our universe.

Some of us read it as explicit lack of restraint.

 

[mgteich]

I think that Jake Andrews would, most definitely, be a surprise cut since he'd pushed for playing time by the end of the year and actually saw time over Mafi.

It IS interesting that MAFI is taking center snaps, though.

It seems that Mafi is competing with Leverett for a roster spot
If so
he needs to be able to backup at both C and OG.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Judon.

THAT would be a surprise. (aint gonna happen, but would be the most surprising).

I think it’s more likely Judon would be traded, but I don’t think either are good ideas. Judon is the kind of veteran leader a team like this really needs, and he has stuck in there through the tough times. I think they should just let him play out his contract and go from there.

 

[203Pat]

Don Davis at S was weird, but it was rare. I thought there was someone after Williams that BB wanted to be a SS/LB hybrid.

I don't see Mapu getting cut this early unless he is really bad like Duke Dawson who was traded very quickly after being drafted. But that's why this thread is asking who would be a "surprise cut".

I really hope Mayo puts him at LB to replace Bentley on passing downs. The S experiment needs to end as his reaction time of diagnosing plays is very slow. This is what I think he's biggest weakness is that he needs to clean up if he wants to make it in this league.

Davis actually started a few games at Safety on the 04 Super Bowl team.

The other notable contribution at safety for the Patriots was by linebacker Don Davis, who, along with Reid, played a significant role during Wilson's time at cornerback. Davis saw action at safety in six games this season, including his first career start at the position against the New York Jets in Week 16 and another start against San Francisco in the season finale. The fastest of the Patriots linebackers, the 6-1, 235-pound Davis collected 17 tackles and a pass defenses as one of the team's more unheralded two-position players. An unrestricted free agent, Davis has spent the last two of his 10 NFL seasons with the Patriots.

Jordan Richards played some linebacker as well as safety (obviously neither of them very well) and I think Jamie Collins, who was a college safety, did end up playing some safety with the Browns. Some other guys like Brandon King and Obi Melifonwu were more special teamers but in that same role.

 

[PScottman]

I think it’s more likely Judon would be traded, but I don’t think either are good ideas.

Oh I don't either...I just tried to be the most surprising-est in my response.

 

[The Gr8est]

Davis actually started a few games at Safety on the 04 Super Bowl team.

The other notable contribution at safety for the Patriots was by linebacker Don Davis, who, along with Reid, played a significant role during Wilson's time at cornerback. Davis saw action at safety in six games this season, including his first career start at the position against the New York Jets in Week 16 and another start against San Francisco in the season finale. The fastest of the Patriots linebackers, the 6-1, 235-pound Davis collected 17 tackles and a pass defenses as one of the team's more unheralded two-position players. An unrestricted free agent, Davis has spent the last two of his 10 NFL seasons with the Patriots.

Jordan Richards played some linebacker as well as safety (obviously neither of them very well) and I think Jamie Collins, who was a college safety, did end up playing some safety with the Browns. Some other guys like Brandon King and Obi Melifonwu were more special teamers but in that same role.

I don’t remember.

Did another team sign Richards after he left the Pats?

 

[TheRainMaker]

I don’t remember.

Did another team sign Richards after he left the Pats?

He played for the Falcons.

 

[203Pat]

I don’t remember.

Did another team sign Richards after he left the Pats?

I think he played a couple seasons in Atlanta then the Ravens I think.