2023 NFL Draft prospect profile - Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State

Feb 5, 2023 - 5:00 PM

The New York Giants have a laundry list of needs for the upcoming 2023 season. The offensive line is once again close to the top of that list of needs, as the Giants need to figure out long-term answers at left guard, center, and right guard.

North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch played left tackle for the Bison, appearing in 62 games and starting the last 39 straight at the position. NDSU has run roughshod over the FCS in recent memory, and their offensive line is a big reason why.

However, Mauch might have to move inside at the professional level but is also building a reputation as a “do it all” lineman as the draft process gets under way. Mauch has a versatile frame, good technique, “tackle” feet, and the demeanor to play any position on the line. Could that versatility make him appealing to the Giants as they continue to rebuild their line?

Prospect: Cody Mauch (70)
Games Watched: vs. Illinois State (Spring, 2021), vs. Arizona (2022), vs. South Dakota (2022), vs. Illinois State (2022)

Measurables

Height: 6-foot 4 ⅞ inches
Weight: 305 pounds
Arm length: 32 ⅛ inches
Hand size: 9 ⅝ inches
Games Played: 62 (15 starts in 2022)

Quick Summary

Best: Competitive toughness, movement skills, experience, leverage
Worst: Arm length, mass
Projection: A starting offensive lineman, likely converting to the offensive interior.

Game Tape

(Mauch is NDSU LT number 70)

Full Report

North Dakota State offensive tackle Cody Mauch is an athletic, experienced, and tough offensive line prospect.

Mauch has appeared in an incredible 62 games for North Dakota State, starting 39 straight by the end of his red-shirt senior year. He is a solid athlete with the movement skills necessary to play offensive tackle. Mauch shows solid quickness off the snap and has enough agility and foot speed to mirror most pass rushers off the edge. He has smooth, controlled footwork that allow him to expand the pocket while maintaining balance and leverage.

He typically plays with good leverage and is a natural knee bender. Mauch’s lower-body flexibility allows him to keep good hip and pad level under most circumstances, maximizing his leverage and play strength. He also maintains a wide base, allowing him to deal with power and absorb bullrushes. Mauch’s athleticism allows him to be very quick to the second level and an accurate blocker in space. He’s also a good pulling tackle and able to make multiple blocks in front of screen plays.

He shows good awareness and seldom seems surprised by late pressure or games along the line of scrimmage.

Mauch is a good run blocker who is capable of executing in both man-gap and zone blocking schemes. He is easily able to stay in sync on outside zone plays, create movement when blocking down hill, quickly get into position as a pulling blocker, and is efficient working off of combo blocks to the second level.

Mauch’s biggest weakness, and one on which he can’t improve on, is his arm length. Mauch’s lack of arm length shows up on tape. There are instances where defenders are able to out-reach him, get their hands on his chest plate, and give him trouble through the rep. He will come in below some teams’ thresholds for arm length, and that will almost certainly knock him down their draft board. His lack of length can force him to lean into blocks as he sustains them, which can give way to lunging if he isn’t careful.

Mauch can also be prone to stopping his feet and lunging when he quickly needs to redirect back inside.

Overall Grade: 7.3

Projection

Cody Mauch projects as a starting offensive lineman at the NFL level, although when and where he starts will likely be determined by the team that drafts him.

Mauch has a versatile frame at 6-foot-4 ⅞ inches and 305 pounds. He has good enough movement skills for a team to give him a look at offensive tackle at the NFL level. He also has the natural leverage and competitive toughness to move inside as well. Given his combination of toughness, experience, quickness, agility, leverage, and lack of arm length, Mauch could be a good candidate to convert to center at the next level.

Coaches will likely fall in love with Mauch for his competitive toughness and play demeanor, and will want to find a role for him on their offensive line. He might start out his career as a utility depth piece, but it also might not take long for him to force his way onto the field.