Cody Mauch, OT North Dakota State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Mauch was a recruit from Hankinson High School in Hankinson, N.D. in the class of 2017

North Dakota State left tackle Cody Mauch is the next prospect in a line of successful Bison offensive linemen. The former walk-on might kick inside to guard at the next level, but he still projects as one of the best offensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Cody Mauch, OT North Dakota State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Sixth year redshirt senior left tackle from Hankinson, N.D.

Background: Mauch was a recruit from Hankinson High School in Hankinson, N.D. in the class of 2017. He did not receive a star or recruit ranking from 247Sports, Rivals, On3.com, or ESPN. Mauch began his career at North Dakota State as a walk-on tight end in 2017. He was a three-year starter in high school who primarily played tight end, defensive end, and quarterback. Mauch served as a team captain in his junior and senior seasons. He twice earned All-Region and All-State selections and was the Region Co-Senior Athlete of the Year in 2016. Mauch helped lead Hankinson to the 2016 region championship by snagging 24 receptions for 474 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout the year. He was invited to participate in the Badlands Bowl and North Dakota Shrine Game. Mauch finished his high school career with 1,072 receiving yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns. He also set school records for sacks in a season and career. Mauch was an All-Conference and All-Region selection in basketball. He qualified for the state competition in track and field. Mauch also has experience playing baseball. His uncle (Andrew Mauch) threw javelin on North Dakota State’s track and field team, and his cousin (Jamie Mauch) played forward on the 2012-13 North Dakota State men’s basketball team after time at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and the North Dakota State College of Science. Mauch has four sisters and three brothers.

2021 Production: 15 games, 1 sack allowed, 3 penalties committed

2020 Production: 9 games, 0 sacks allowed, 2 penalties committed

2019 Production: 16 games, 0 sacks allowed, 1 penalty committed

2018 Production: 6 games, 0 sacks allowed, 0 penalties committed

2017 Production: (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2018 Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll, 2020-21 Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference, 2021 First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference, 2021 Second-Team FCS All-America (Associated Press)

Pros: Diagnoses and passes off stunts, quick climbing to the second level, finishes opponents to the ground, sufficient speed and athletic ability to eat up space quickly and close on defenders in the open field, generates good push in the running game, hands are violent and pack pop, strength to cave in and wash down the defensive line, good understanding of block angles and rushing lanes, explosive out of his stance, reaction time to mirror defenders, effective and independent hand work in pass pro, grip strength to latch and sustain blocks, anchor to absorb and deaden power rushes, prevents usage of the inside rush lane, easily seals defenders to open rushing lanes, surprising fluidity in his lower half, possesses lateral and vertical agility

Cons: Age, arm length, competition level, occasionally allows defenders into his chest, struggles with leverage against long-limbed defenders, late to recognize and redirect to blitzing linebackers, sometimes overruns angles to second-level players, pad level in pass pro rises high throughout play, concerns about how he’ll handle speed rushers, hand placement can be high, lateral footspeed varies, inside hand collapses too far inside softening his inside shoulder, sometimes leans on defenders, stop-start agility when climbing is in question

Overview: Mauch is unofficially listed at 6'6", 303 lbs. The former walk-on is an excellent athlete who possesses ideal lateral and vertical agility to mirror defenders in pass protection or climb to the second level and pick off linebackers in the run game. He quickly climbs to the second level and is always looking for work. Mauch has the grip strength to latch and sustain blocks against linemen, and these skills help him overwhelm defensive backs and linebackers. He frequently finishes opponents to the ground. Mauch’s speed and athletic ability quickly eat up space as he closes to targets in the open field. While he showcases a good understanding of blocking angles and rushing lanes, Mauch sometimes overruns angles on his way to second-level players. He doesn’t always have the ability to throttle down and get back in front of his man in these situations and resorts to lunging. Mauch consistently generates good push in the running game and has the strength to cave in and wash down the defensive line or seal edge rushers. He’s explosive out of his stance and flashes plenty of pop and violence in his hands. In pass protection, Mauch diagnoses and passes off stunts. He displays effective and independent hand usage. Mauch’s anchor is strong enough to absorb and deaden power rushes. He often prevents access to inside rush lanes. Unfortunately, the tight end turned tackle doesn’t meet the standard arm length NFL teams look for. Most franchises want players with at least 33-inch arms, although 34 to 35 inches are preferable. With sub-33-inch arms, it’s almost a guarantee that Mauch shifts to guard in the NFL, a position he was rarely exposed to in college. Mauch is an older FCS prospect who hasn’t faced much elite competition. He’s occasionally allowed defenders into his chest and has struggled with leverage against long-limbed opponents. Mauch’s foot speed is generally a point of strength, but there are times when his lower body timing and speed are off. The sixth-year prospect needs to refine his hand placement as his hands sometimes come in too high. He also has a bad habit of placing his inside hand too close to the defender’s center, which exposes his inside shoulder and allows defenders to take the inside track. Mauch is guilty of leaning on defenders at times, and his pad level rises significantly throughout reps in pass protection. There are instances where he’s late to recognize and redirect to blitzing linebackers.

Overall, Mauch is an impact player in the run and pass games who possesses impressive athleticism and speed for his size, but his arm length fails to meet NFL standards. Mauch was able to succeed at tackle with his short arms in the FCS. However, there were already some instances of long-armed defenders causing him problems. Mauch should kick inside to guard and become a starter early in his pro career.

Role & Scheme Fit: Left guard in an inside or outside zone scheme

Round Projection: Mid Second to Early Third

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 11-11-22