Boye Mafe Still 'Scratching the Surface’ Despite Superb Season

Originally posted on FanNation Seahawk Maven
By Adam Schultz | Last updated 1/25/24

The Seattle Seahawks didn't have the season many envisioned as they narrowly missed the playoffs. For all the good work the team did in the early part of the year, it fell away in a four-game losing streak.

But a big part of how the Seahawks were sitting at 6-3 after nine weeks was the play of edge defender Boye Mafe.

In just his second season, Mafe began this year shot out of a cannon, notching sacks in seven of the first eight games, which included seven straight after Week 1.

Having barely been sighted in his rookie campaign, the "second-year leap" that Mafe took was a sight to behold. As such, NFL.com has named him as Seattle's most surprising contributor for the season.

"Mafe came into his own in his second season, leading the Seahawks with nine sacks, 16 QB hits and (per PFF) four batted passes," NFL.com writes. "The edge defender also paced Seattle with 53 QB pressures and added 35 stops, according to NGS. The athletic Mafe displayed burst, getting 24 quick pressures, per NGS, and showed effort to the ball. The 25-year-old pass rusher got off to a hot start with seven of his nine sacks coming in his first eight games. As his play tailed off, so did the Seahawks D, with Seattle coming up shy in its bid to get back into the postseason. Mafe is just beginning to scratch the surface of his ability."

Having started just three games in his rookie season, for that to jump to 16 in 2023 is a testament to the work Mafe put in during the offseason. But he also backed it up on the field too.

He had eight quarterback knockdowns this season compared to one in 2022 while having 25 quarterback pressures, 17 more than in his rookie season. Not to mention his 9.0 sacks.

Mafe was also on the field a lot more as he nearly played double the amount of defensive snaps this season (808) and also had more on special teams as well.

For Mafe to have the breakout season he did will give fans confidence going forward that he could be one of the cornerstone pieces of the defense for years to come.

The Seahawks have had many great defensive players over the journey, and maybe Mafe is the next name to strike fear in opposing offenses.

This article first appeared on FanNation Seahawk Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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