The Houston Texans have addressed a key need on defense ahead of the 2026 season, acquiring linebacker Marte Mapu from the New England Patriots in a strategic late-round pick swap.

In the trade, Houston secures Mapu and a 2027 seventh-round selection, sending a 2027 sixth-round pick back to New England. This move bolsters the Texans' linebacker depth chart with a versatile and experienced player before they turn their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, where they hold eight picks.

Mapu, a former Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year at Sacramento State, brings immediate special teams value and defensive flexibility. He appeared in every game for the Patriots last season, contributing 25 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and five pass deflections as a subpackage linebacker.

Entering the final year of his current contract, Mapu provides the Texans with a proven, athletic defender who can compete for snaps and solidify the second level of their defense. For a team building a contender, adding a player of his caliber for minimal draft capital is a savvy front-office maneuver.