Field Gulls
Can Mafe become an elite edge defender?
The 2024 season confirmed that Boye Mafe is not just an athletic prospect — he is an edge rusher who is evolving technically and mentally. After posting incredible numbers in 2023, the Seattle Seahawks defender has established himself as one of the cornerstones of the defense under new head coach Mike Macdonald, playing more roles and more complex functions in the scheme. In this article, we analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Mafe’s game, his production in 2024 and how much he could be worth at the negotiating table.
Total pressures: 47 (31st);
Sacks: 6 (42nd);
QB Hits: 5 (58th);
Run Stop: 19 (54th);
Defense Grade: 75.2 (30th);
Pass Rush Grade (PFF): 65.7 (73rd);
Run Defense Grade (PFF): 77.8 (13th);
Snaps played: 607 (202 run defense, 344 pass rush and 61 coverage)
This is an interesting package from the Seahawks (I’ll talk more about this in an article about the team’s defensive trends in 2024). In theory, there are three EDGEs on the field and only one DT. The team varied this DT a lot, but it was usually Leonard Williams. One of the EDGEs was usually Derick Hall and there was an alternation in the other EDGE. The most consistent spot was Mafe standing in the A gap. The idea was to use his explosiveness coming up to the guards.
Mafe has his eyes on the QB and thanks to some exceptional work from both EDGEs, the QB has to move from the pocket. The EDGE gets the sack and attacks the ball at the right time, forcing the fumble that was returned for a TD.
How it works: Mafe uses his brute strength and explosiveness to push the offensive tackle directly toward the quarterback.
Execution: Good base and leverage; can collapse the pocket on long passes.
Effectiveness in 2024: This was his most reliable move. He had success against tackles with high pad level angles or slow hands.
Limitation: Against OLs with good anchoring, Mafe would stop at contact.
How it works: He gains the outside angle and, in transition to the second step, uses his inside arm to “rip” underneath the OT’s contact.
Execution: He combines speed with the rip, especially on 3rd downs.
Effectiveness: His most used secondary move. On long plays (second and third down), he generated notable pressure.
Limitation: When used with poor hand placement or against tackles who can “mirror”, the rip failed due to lack of torque on contact.
How it works: He starts as if he were going to use the speed rush (speed through the outside arc), but converts the threat of speed into a strong contact on the blocker’s chest.
Execution: Used successfully when Mafe mixes timing and precise hands on the OL’s chest.
Effectiveness: Creates discomfort for the pocket and forces the QB to go up...
