2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Cody Mauch (OT – North Dakota State)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Cody Mauch.

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Cody Mauch (OT – North Dakota State)

Cody Mauch (OT – North Dakota State)

6’6” – 303 lbs.

Background:

Played sparingly in 2018 and 2019, mostly at right tackle and as an eligible sixth lineman, before stepping into a starting role in 2020 (the first two games at right tackle, the last seven at left tackle). Added another thirty starts at left tackle over the past two seasons. Allowed just two sacks while in school.

Positives:

Three-year starter with outstanding metrics in each season. Tough, competitive player with excellent snap to snap consistency and polished technique. Looks fast in a straight line, with the short-area quickness to climb to the second level and engage in space, or cross and hook defenders. Can pull in either direction. Strong understanding of positioning. Functional strength is better than his size would suggest. Able to attack the outside shoulder of a defender and seal them inside. Shows active feet after contact to generate movement. Works hard to sustain through the whistle and shows impressive grip strength to stay locked on. Finishes when he has defenders on the ropes. Technically-sound kick slide with some knee bend, an appropriately-wide base, and excellent balance. Active with his punch and does a good job of resetting. Works to get out in space and lead the way in the screen game; very effective in that area, and was asked to execute those assignments often in school. Rarely penalized (never exceeded three in a season).

Negatives:

Weight is just adequate for the position. Anchor can drop a little bit later than you’d like at times, so teams may ask him to add additional bulk at the next level. Isn’t exactly stiff, but overall flexibility is closer to adequate. Wasn’t flagged much in school, but aggressiveness can cause him to get grabby at times, or to block defenders in the back; definitely got away with his fair share of penalties, some of which were unnecessary in the context of the play, and will need to be more consistent with his hand placement. Almost all of his snaps in school came at left tackle, with just two starts and some rotational work on the right side.

Summary:

An excellent left tackle with the technical polish, snap-to-snap consistency, athleticism, and nastiness teams look for in offensive linemen, traits which should make him a starter at the next level. North Dakota State ran mostly gap concepts, but could also work well in a zone scheme. Should come off the board early on the second day given the positional value of the tackle position and because he has few holes to his game.

Projection: Round 2