Patriots seek a new personal punt protector after Mapu departure, weighing rookie tryout Peter Manuma

The New England Patriots are working to fill a specific special teams function after moving on from Marte Mapu, and one of the more notable candidates is Peter Manuma, a player who originally came onto the NFL radar via a tryout at rookie minicamp. During mandatory minicamp at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots had multiple players competing for the personal punt protector spot, a quarterback-like job on punts that coordinates protections from the line and communicates the blocking call.

Mapu’s departure matters more than it might look in a typical roster move, because the three-year veteran was not only a backup linebacker. According to team-reported coverage ahead of minicamp, Mapu served as the Patriots’ personal punt protector in 2025, handling line calls and setting up the protection in front. Without him on the roster, New England has to reestablish that responsibility and ensure the punt unit can quickly execute the right front and timing.

Manuma is among those trying to earn consideration for that role. He arrived after trying out at the Patriots’ rookie minicamp as an undrafted player, and he has been part of the discussion as the team weighs who is best suited to control the position emotionally and technically, not just who can fit athletically. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer was quoted describing Manuma’s reps and demeanor, saying he “has done a good job being back there in some reps,” while also highlighting that Manuma appeared “very in control of his body,” moved well, and was “very vocal, very confident” when speaking from that spot.

The Patriots’ evaluation of Manuma is taking place against the backdrop of broader roster churn this offseason. The trade that sent Mapu to the Houston Texans involved a late-round draft pick exchange in 2027, and coverage of the Patriots’ personnel moves characterized it as a comparatively minor footnote relative to the team’s bigger actions. Still, the football impact is clear: losing a player who had been the unit’s point person on personal protections forces the coaching staff to identify a new communicator and coordinator on the punt line.

Manuma’s football background is part of why he is on the short list. His college career was entirely at Hawaii, where he appeared in 49 games with 35 starts and was named a team captain twice. He also posted production that included five interceptions and three forced fumbles, and he reportedly ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process. That blend of experience, leadership, and athletic testing is often the combination teams look for when they need someone to direct line protection without freezing in live-game environments.

What to watch next is whether the Patriots treat the personal punt protector battle as a clear “winner take over” decision by the time pads come on, or whether they will rotate options based on punt coverage personnel. The punt protection job can be more rigid than general special teams roles, so the Patriots will likely seek repeatable communication and consistent execution, not just one standout practice.

For now, New England’s process is centered on work in spring team activities, with mandatory minicamp functioning as an early checkpoint for roles before the season begins. The Manuma audition is the kind of competition that can shape field position quietly but significantly, particularly in games where a single punt protection error can turn into a blown block or an unfavorable punt outcome.