Last season, the Seattle Seahawks witnessed glimpses of the potential Boye Mafe brings to the field as an edge rusher. After a subdued rookie year in 2022, Mafe made significant strides during the first half of his sophomore campaign. The Minnesota alum showcased his talent with an impressive stretch, recording sacks in seven consecutive games, along with 10 quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Despite this strong start, Mafe’s productivity waned in the latter half of the season. He managed just two sacks and two tackles for loss in the final eight games. Mike Lefko of Seattle Sports noted, “Teams figured him out. They realized this is a guy that we gotta divert our attention to.”
As the Seahawks gear up for the 2024 season, the question remains: which version of Boye Mafe will they see? Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard and Lefko delved into this topic, placing Mafe at No. 7 on their annual “Most Intriguing Seahawks” countdown. Huard commented, “Boye Mafe showed through seven weeks last year that he can be a dominant force. The challenge now is maintaining that elite performance and becoming a consistent double-digit sack player.”
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft, Mafe’s journey from a standout college athlete to a promising NFL player has been notable. His impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine bolstered his draft stock. During the Senior Bowl, Mafe earned player of the game honors for the National Team with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble. His physical prowess was further highlighted at the combine, where he ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic ranked Mafe fifth on his 2020 college football Freaks List, praising his remarkable athletic abilities. Feldman noted, “Few guys his size can jump like he does. His vertical leap is 40½ inches, and he has a broad jump of 10-6. Mafe’s combination of speed, power, and agility is exceptional.”
Mafe’s excitement about the upcoming season is palpable, particularly with the new defensive scheme introduced by head coach Mike Macdonald. In a recent interview, Mafe expressed his enthusiasm: “This defense is the most versatile we’ve had since I’ve been in Seattle. Coach can move us around, create different looks for the quarterback, and enhance our pass rush.”
Macdonald’s defensive approach marks a significant shift from former head coach Pete Carroll’s system, which relied less on movement and deception. The creativity and complexity of Macdonald’s scheme were instrumental in the Baltimore Ravens leading the NFL with 60 sacks last season, with three players recording nine or more. Huard remarked, “This new system’s versatility should bring out the best in everybody.”
As the Seahawks prepare for the new season, all eyes will be on Boye Mafe to see if he can translate his flashes of brilliance into sustained success. With a fresh defensive strategy and a renewed sense of purpose, Mafe is poised to become a key player in Seattle’s quest for defensive dominance.
