Rookie Marte Mapu is officially listed on the New England Patriots’ roster as a linebacker. But his actual position is a little bit more complicated than that.

Mapu has played linebacker and safety in open Patriots spring practices so far. It felt worth asking the Sacramento State product what position he considers himself.

“Whatever they put me out there as,” Mapu said Monday after the first day of minicamp.

The 2023 third-round pick was asked a follow-up later about what position the media should call him.

“Call me whatever they tell you to call me,” he said.

So, a linebacker. For now.

Mapu primarily played defensive back in college. Most of his snaps came in the slot, but he also played in the box, at free safety and even on the defensive line. But he played linebacker at the Senior Bowl, and when the Patriots drafted him, he was announced as a linebacker.

“I’m just comfortable doing whatever they ask me to do right now,” Mapu said. “They’ve watched my film. They know my strengths and weaknesses. I just try to follow through on whatever they ask me to do.”

Mapu said he’s probably played every single position dating back to his days in youth football. He has unique size at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds that could potentially allow him to play anywhere from cornerback to safety and linebacker. And since the Patriots like versatility, and because they’re a gameplan team, it’s entirely possible he plays a number of different positions this season.

He’s open to anything.

“I mean, I've been playing football for forever, so I feel comfortable with, period, just being on the football field in all honesty. I don't really think it comes down to wherever I line up.

Patriots veteran safety Adrian Phillips praised Mapu’s comfort level at OTAs last week. Mapu has been a playmaker in recent practices with an interception and two pass breakups.

Featured image via Sophie Weller-A to Z Sports