There is going to be a number change in New England this year.
According to inside Mike Kadlick, second-year linebacker Marte Mapu will be switching jersey numbers in 2024.
Since former running back Ezekiel Elliot left to go back to Dallas this offseason, the No. 15 jersey is available.
Mapu wore No. 15 while in college at Sacramento State.
#Patriots former-third round pick Marte Mapu will officially be making the switch to #15 next season, per @mikekadlick.
Mapu wore the same number during his time at Sacramento State 
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@nepatriotreport) pic.twitter.com/KISBudsK3Z
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) May 16, 2024
The California native played sparingly under former head coach Bill Belichick as a rookie.
He played in all 17 games but started just one time.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs late in the season in Week 15, he recorded his first career interception.
He finished his rookie season with 18 total tackles, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and that one interception.
Moving forward under new head coach Jerod Mayo, look for Mapu to get some more playing time and ascend up the defensive depth chart.
The former third-round pick paid his dues on special teams last year and is now ready for a bigger role.
Perhaps that interception off of arguably the best quarterback in the game will propel him to getting more snaps on defense.
He played 47% of the special teams snaps and just 18% of the defensive snaps.
Look for the latter to increase.
Perhaps the number change will make him feel more comfortable and fired up.
The Pats would greatly benefit from it because he wasn’t a first-round pick that they are betting everything on.
He is an ascending role player that will have the potential to make an impact at both linebacker and safety in 2024 and beyond.
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