B-
C+
—
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Sentiment Analysis
C+
Mixed
NegativeMixedPositive
Houston adds depth at linebacker in a quiet, unremarkable trade with New England. All five headlines emphasize the Patriots' resulting lack of linebacker depth at the position. Mapu's acquisition suggests Houston needed rotational help rather than acquiring a star contributor. Fans view this as a low-profile move that doesn't meaningfully reshape the defense. The Texans likely expect Mapu to serve as a reliable backup in their linebacker rotation.
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Contract Value Index (CVI)
B-
Good Value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
The Texans' trade for Marte Mapu earns a B- Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a pragmatic mid-tier acquisition at a reasonable price point for a team positioned as a playoff contender with a 12-5 record and AFC South positioning. At $1.39M AAV against a total value of $5.56M, this deal represents efficient depth spending — the kind of transaction that doesn't move the needle on cap flexibility but fills a genuine roster need without overcommitting resources. The structure suggests a short-term, low-risk commitment rather than a long-term investment, which aligns with a team in its competitive window and focused on immediate roster gaps rather than speculative upside. Mapu's acquisition adds depth and contingency value, but the trade mechanics themselves indicate the Texans aren't betting their window on this player as a foundational piece — more a role player plugging a hole in real time. The CVI reflects this reality: solid value discipline without elite efficiency, the hallmark of a front office making reasonable incremental moves during playoff push season rather than swinging for transformational impact.
Contract Details
- Total Value
- $5.6M
- AAV
- $1.4M
- Guaranteed
- $1.0M
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About this NFL transaction
The Houston Texans completed a trade involving Marte Mapu on April 7, 2026. FanVerdicts grades every reported NFL transaction across three dimensions independently: Contract Value Index measures the deal's value relative to expected production, Sentiment measures media and fan reaction, and Fan Verdict aggregates community voting on this page. Current grades for this move: Contract Value Index B-, Sentiment C+, Fan Verdict pending.
Contract details below show the years, total value, average annual value, and guaranteed money the Contract Value Index grade is computed against. The grade does not change once written — it reflects market expectations at the moment of signing, recomputed only if the contract is restructured.
Want broader context? The NFL hub has the league-wide transaction feed and team rankings. The NFL transactions feed lists every reported move across the league with the same three-grade methodology applied to each.