MORSE: Patriots Dugger and Mapu Should Move to LB
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I have been holding onto this thought until after the draft. Dugger struggles in coverage when he sets up at Free Safety. He lacks instincts at the position. As an in-the-box safety he is tremendous and should be good at covering TEs and RBs out of the backfield. Move him to LB. He is good at blitzing and tackling. At slightly under 6’1” 216-pounds he is a small and light for a linebacker, just what Mike Vrabel likes in his linebackers. He ran a 4.49 40 at the combine. If you move him into a robber type role you set up the defense in a 4-2-5 alignment. Many teams are using this “Big Nickel” alignment as their standard more and more against offenses that go with 3 WRs from the jump. When it is a true passing down the “Big Nickel” gets replaced with a cover slot corner like Marcus Jones. Dugger is already 29 years old.
Marte Mapu was drafted as a Linebacker. That was how he was announced by the team. He burst on the scene at the Senior Bowl where he was asked to play linebacker, and he shined in pass coverage. I remember distinctly that I was one of a few people that had heard of him. He was listed way down on all the draft lists and slowly the last few weeks came into the draftable window. No one thought he would be a 3rd round pick. At almost 6’3” and 217-pounds he ran 4.59 40 which is too slow for a Safety, but plenty fast for a linebacker.
Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel didn’t draft a single Linebacker in this draft class, and they cut Titus Leo. Craig Woodson was drafted to play Centerfield Free Safety. Moving Dugger and Marte allows Dell Pettus to move into the backup SS role behind Jabrill Peppers. In his rookie season, the UDFA had a 73.9 PFF Rating (26th).
Woodson would be competing with veteran Marcus Epps who signed a Free Agent. However, Epps is coming off knee surgery, so his play should be monitored.
One report has Jabrill Peppers as a candidate to be cut. I don’t agree with that. Keep him at SS and move Dugger to LB. Peppers had injury problems last year and that suspension, which he was completely exonerated. He is a leader and someone other teams fear with his reputation as a hitter.
The Draft is complete and we look forward to seeing who arrives for Patriots Rookie Camp. Unfortunately, this event is closed to the media do we will get little reporting on it. Patriots.com usually releases photos from the Camp so that you get your 1st look at the rookies in football shells and shorts. This as much an indoctrination to the rookies on how to prepare to be a Professional, what is expected of them and introduction to the playbook.
Ben Wooldridge joins the Patriots as a dual-threat QB with extensive collegiate experience. He began his career at Fresno State before shining with Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, throwing for 2,463 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in 2024. He also showcased his mobility, adding 174 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while leading his conference with an 8.4 yards-per-attempt average. This was an interesting take on Soy Fútball by Bruno López. “Although his numbers may not immediately stand out, Wooldridge displayed admirable resilience by overcoming multiple serious injuries, including a torn ACL and fractures in both his foot and clavicle. This ability to fight back and return stronger undoubtedly caught the eye of new head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff”.
Wooldridge’s arrival not only fills an urgent need but also offers an intriguing developmental project behind Maye and Dobbs. The fact that New England moved so quickly to sign him suggests they saw qualities in him that other teams overlooked.
Training camp will be critical for Wooldridge, who must prove he can stay healthy and quickly learn the Patriots’ offensive system. If he succeeds, he could become a valuable piece for the team, especially in an NFL where quarterback depth is crucial.
Speaking of combine standouts, Cal’s Craig Woodson recorded a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and a 10-foot-7 broad jump at a 50th-percentile height and weight for the position. That athleticism shows up on tape, as he earned an 88.6 PFF coverage grade as a deep safety in 2024. It’s tough to find guys who can really play in single-high Cover 1 or Cover 3 assignments, but Woodson can. I like him as an early Day 3 deep safety who could develop into a starter. – PFF Trevor Sikkema
LB Titus Leo
DL Marcus Harris
S Mark Perry
OC Jake Andrews
WR JaQue Jackson
TE Giovanni Ricci
The only real surprise here was the 2023 4th round selection Jake Andrews. Last season Andrews, 25, was placed on injured reserve after beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform list. As a rookie, started 1 game at left guard.
Ricci was brought in to be a Fullback but they signed Brock Lampe as an UDFA and have a 2nd FB Duane Martin in for a tryout at Rookie Minicamp.
I stated that the Patriots selected 5 of Dane Brugler’s Top 100. I was incorrect, they selected 6 with Bradyn Swinson being #100. Brugler said “Swinson, as a subpackage rusher, might have the quickest impact”. The Athletic draft expert compiled 24 ratings of all 32 teams. This Patriots Draft Class came out with the best overall grade. New England ranked dead last in sacks last season, so Swinson “should get opportunities to use his speed and flexibility to win off the edge,” Brugler said. Going into the Draft the 2025 Draft Class was said to lack high end talent but was a deep draft that would produce Starters. Every team was expected to get 4 starters out of the draft. I think the Patriots are going to get 9 starters out of the draft. That number is incredible and would go down as the best draft in Patriots history. The first 7 picks should be starters within 3 years, and the Kicker and Long Snapper should be starters this year.
After drafting Longsnapper Julian Ashby the Patriots announced today they have released longtime Captain Joe Cardona. He played 10 seasons for the Patriots after being drafted in the 5th round (166) of the 2015 Draft. He was last remaining player from the last Patriots Super Bowl Champions. I am surprised they are handing the job to the Rookie without any competition in Training Camp. This brings the roster down to 90 which includes Wilfried Pene, a player from Tours France which I believe qualifies him as an International Pathway Program player of which they will receive a roster exemption for.
Smith stated that Williams excited him the most of any receiver in the draft and gave him the highest praise that Williams reminded him of himself. Coming from a former player that I have a tremendous amount of respect for that is quite the compliment.
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Mapu, yes. Dugger, no.
Dugger is fine at safety. He was banged up all year, and had surgery immediately following the season. The teams lack of pass rush made it difficult on everyone.
Mapu absolutely should be at LB. Never should’ve been at safety, period.
Mapu & Dugger is indeed interesting. Mark is right on. Mapu is listed at 229 lbs via google, but hey it’s google. I thought he would be the one to move to LB alongside Spillane. Maybe. That 4-2-5 was the prevalent D alignment under Vrable’s teams in TENN. So says Patriots Football Weekly. In that 4-3-5 format, yea I’d expect two strong safetys…Peppers and Duggar maybe. Lesser on the extra nickel CB. Mapu supposedly is really smart and knows both roles (LB and SS). The bottom line is the Pats have 2 good SS plus Mapu whom has been touted… Read more »