NFL Draft Profile: Cody Mauch, Offensive Lineman, NDSU Bison

NFL Draft profile scouting report for NDSU OG Cody Mauch

Cody Mauch
NDSU Bison

#70
Pos: iOL
Ht: 6050
Wt: 302
Hand: 0968
Arm: 3238
Wing: 7878
40: 5.08
DOB:1/15/1999
Hometown: Hankinson, ND
High School: Hankinson
Eligibility: 2023

One Liner:

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.

Evaluation:

Mauch 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.

Grade:

2nd Round

Background:

Cody Mauch is coming back to NDSU as a leader for the team. In 2021, he was awarded numerous awards, including All America Second, Third Team and All Mountain Valley Conference Second Team. He made all fifteen starts which increased his starting streak to twenty-four games. In 2021, his playing time increased from 2017, when he first arrived on campus, to now. From Hankinson, North Dakota and attending Hankinson High School, Mauch was a three-year starter who played numerous positions, including tight end, quarterback, and defensive end. He was also an All-Conference Basketball Player and a standout track star. At North Dakota, he is majoring in Agricultural Engineers with a minor in Crop and Weed Science and Precision Agriculture.