The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded up to the 48th selection and selected North Dakota State’ offensive linemen Cody Mauch. The Buccaneers gave up their 50th and 179th overall pick ls to move.
𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝗻: With pick 48 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the #Bucs are selecting OL Cody Mauch.
The #Packers traded the pick to the Bucs, they got pick 50 and 179 for pick 48. pic.twitter.com/gEKHLkLLY3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 29, 2023
Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota St
HT: 6’5
WT: 303 lbs
Accolades:
• 2021 Associated Press All-America Second Team
• 2021 HERO Sports All-America Third Team
• 2021 All-MVFC First Team
• 2020-21 All-MVFC Second Team
• 2018 MVFC Honor Roll
Video:
https://youtu.be/Z5uNO4h3Ge0
Pros:
• Entered North Dakota State program as a 221-pound tight end before impressively bulking up to a 303-pound starting offensive tackle – without losing much of his tight end speed
• A smooth athlete with terrific mobility and footwork, staying light on his feet. Has the lateral range, natural shuffle movements, and lower body quickness to mirror speed rushers.
• He’s especially light on his feet, a fluid mover who has natural balance as Mauch kick-slides and sets.
• Is rarely beaten on the edge by speed rushers- is instinctive in shepherding them towards the sideline
• Elite overall speed – could kick outside and play tight end in a pinch
• Carries his weight naturally, wide-framed with low body fat, along with powerful hands. Mauch moves naturally, with agile feet and the natural balance to mirror in pass protection.
• Super productive left tackle at NDS where over four seasons on 836 pass blocking plays he gave just two sacks
• Super shifty foot quickness to remain outside. Can get to the second level with surprising agility when adjusting to moving defenders. Underrated athleticism, agility, balance, and even straight-line speed
• Has elite lateral movement – is elite on sweeps and in the screen game – ideal for a zone run blocking scheme
• Effective in space and usually drops his hips to get leverage and sustain against shorter defenders.
Cons:
• Is a little too much of a waist bender, and Mauch doesn’t play with ideal power and functional strength. Most concerning – he often gets caught dropping his head, a bad habit that will have to be corrected.
• Has really short arms compared to his height – he checks in at just the 4th percentile when measured against his peers at the combine historically
• Mauch is small for a pro-LT and some regard him as just a pumped-up tight end who isn’t either big or strong enough to hold up in the NFL. Maybe more suited as a pro guard
• Can be overpowered by a strong bull rush when rushers get their hands under his pads, although stands up well against speed moves
• Plays far too upright leading to being unbalanced in protection
• Can struggle to stay engaged, especially at the second level
Summary:
Cody Mauch is a solid NFL pro prospect who has come a long way from being a walk-on tight end at the FCS level to being looked at as a possible top-100 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Mauch has outstanding technique as a pass protector and elite speed and quickness reminiscent of his skill position past, he, however, has limited upside. Mauch has short arms (usually seen on a pro guard), and limited power and strength due to his maxed-out 305lb frame.
Currently we view Mauch as 2nd/3rd prospect who if played in the right system (Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme seems ideal) could be a very successful pro starter for the next ten years if, however, he’s played at LT – on an island he’s not going to hold up