Boye Mafe
Summary
Boye Mafe was selected in Round 2 (#40 Overall) of the 2022 Draft out of University of Minnesota. Mafe is a dynamic, explosive edge‑rusher with elite athletic traits, strong bend, impressive hand usage, and versatility. His greatest strengths lie in his ability to close quickly, win off the edge, and bring consistent effort. His primary developmental tasks revolve around improving run defense, technique against bigger blockers, and building a deeper rush‑arsenal. If he addresses those areas, he has the potential to be one of the better young pass rushers in the league.
Strengths
Exceptional first‑step burst and straight‑line speed: Mafe’s athletic testing and game film show him as a rapid‑off‑the‑edge pass‑rusher capable of closing quickly. SI
Good lateral agility and flexibility for his size: he bends around the corner well, shows change of direction and can pursue in space.
Strong hand usage and violence at the point of attack: able to swipe/chop, engage blockers and convert speed into power when he lands his punch. NFL Draft Buzz
Versatility: He has experience rushing from both 3‑point and 2‑point stances, working as a stand‑up linebacker or hand‑in‑the‑dirt end, and he has shown flashes of coverage ability in the flat. SI
High motor and pursuit mindset: Mafe is described as seldom taking a snap off, showing good effort and determination to make plays. NFL Draft Buzz
Weaknesses
Run‑defense consistency Mafe struggles when blockers get hands on him, especially in downhill or power‑run situations, and block‑shedding needs improvement.
Length and size concerns for an edge defender: Although athletic, his arm length and overall size are seen as average or slightly below for the position, which can limit his anchoring vs bigger tackles. Bleacher Report
Technique in pass‑rush repertoire: Still developing—he wins often with raw athleticism rather than a wide arsenal of counter moves, meaning his success may be more dependent on physical gifts than refined craft. NFL Draft Buzz
Inconsistency: While his upside is high, his consistency as an every‑down player is uncertain until he refines some of those weaker areas. The Daily Gopher
Fit & Outlook
Mafe fits best as a high‑ceiling situational edge rusher initially, particularly in passing down or hybrid roles where his speed, bend and disruptive ability can be maximized. In a scheme that allows him to rush off the edge and avoid heavy two‑gap run duties, he can produce effectively early in his career. Over the longer term, as he adds strength, improves technique in the run game and refines his move set, he has the potential to evolve into an every‑down starter at the edge position. His athletic profile gives him the tools; the question is how quickly he closes the gaps in run defense and consistency. In Seattle’s system, with proper coaching and usage, Mafe could become a foundational piece of the pass‑rush corps. If he doesn’t refine his weaknesses, his role might remain more specialized—but his upside remains significant.