Despite being from small school, North Dakota State is a powerhouse for NFL prospects. Offensive lineman Cody Mauch is the next big thing to come from there.
Well, the NFL’s offseason is in full swing now. The new league year and free agency begin in about a week. Many players will change uniforms. Teams will look to solidify their rosters.
After that, the attention turns to the NFL Draft in April. Teams will look for prospects who could round out their rosters. These prospects could be had for four years at a rookie deal. They could become the building blocks for some teams.
As part of our NFL Draft coverage, we are profiling a lot of the top prospects as we near the draft. One of the prospects to look out for is North Dakota State’s offensive lineman Cody Mauch.
Mauch Measurements
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 302 pounds
Arm: 32 3/8″
Hand: 9 3/4″
Mauch Profile
When you go to Hollywood casting to find an offensive lineman, you’ll see a picture of Mauch. He looks exactly like what a lineman should look like.
Do you want a mauler? Well, bears are maulers and with his long locks and missing front teeth, Mauch looks like a bear.
Additionally, Mauch looks like a hockey goon and watching his film he doesn’t disappoint. He plays with a tough-guy demeanor. He is rugged and he attacks the defender.
Mauch is especially great at run blocking. He loves to knock bodies out of the way and drive them into the ground. In pass protection, however, he has short arms and inconsistent footwork so he could move over to guard at the next level.
Additionally, Mauch is athletic. He came to the Bisons as a tight end, quarterback, and defensive end. As a result, he understands what those players should do on offense and what the defensive player wants to do as well. Additionally, he has great instincts and communicates well with his teammates on blitz pickups.
Mauch has a high motor and he works extremely hard. At North Dakota State he went from redshirt player, to scout player, to backup, to All-American. Soon he will add NFL star.
Mauch did well in the NFL Combine. He ran a 5.08-40, 1.79 10-yard split, and 7.33 three-cone drill. Some might dismiss the speed aspects of an offensive lineman. However, the split and the three-cone results show how well he can move laterally. That ability shows on the field when he pulls. He has to get out quickly and move down the line, especially if he moves to guard. Therefore, he’ll do well on pulls.
Also, Mauch has good power in his punch. He can knock defenders off-balance with it, leverages his base well, and is difficult to move. Furthermore, he has loose hips and is able to turn the defender and seal him off.
Mauch will have a nice long career in the NFL. He will be an asset for any team looking for offensive line help. He projects to go in the late first round to the middle of the second. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and Las Vegas Raiders could use him. He’ll quickly become a fan favorite from Day 1.
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