On the eve of rookies reporting for training camp, the Bucs have signed their final 2023 draft pick. The team came to terms with second-round offensive lineman Cody Mauch, agreeing to a standard four-year deal. According to the Tampa Bay Times, who broke the story, the four-year contract is worth $7.485 million and includes a signing bonus of $2.443 million.
While much of the meat and potatoes of these rookie contracts are pre-defined, the team and the player can still negotiate on smaller points such as the exact amount of base salary that will be fully guaranteed and offset language.
This is most likely why Cody Mauch was the last player to sign. For first round draft picks the precedent was set a few years ago of fully guaranteeing their entire contracts. But second-rounders have slowly been acquiring larger guarantees each season.
Cody Mauch Has Over 2 Years Worth Of His Contract Guaranteed
In 2020, Bucs second-round pick Antoine Winfield Jr. was able to negotiate to guarantee his entire first- and second-year salaries. The year thereafter was able to do the same.
This past year Bucs defensive lineman Logan Hall was able to negotiate for the entirety of his first three years of salaries, plus a bit over 10% of his fourth year pay to be fully guaranteed. This caused Hall to be the final draft pick of the Bucs 2022 class to be signed as well.
Some of this progress is due to where within the second round each player was selected. Winfield was selected with the 45th pick overall, whereas Kyle Trask was the final pick the second round. Hall was selected with the initial pick of the second round. Mauch was taken 48th overall, right smack dab in the middle of the round.
Bears safety Jaquan Brisker was selected 48th overall in 2022. He was able to come to terms with the Bears on guaranteeing his first two years salaries. For the current draft class, the two closest draftees to Mauch who have signed are safety Brian Branch (picked 45th overall) and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (picked 49th overall).
Per Over The Cap Branch was able to secure his entire 2023 and 2024 base salaries as fully guaranteed, plus $925,000 of his $1,379,250 2025 salary. Benton was able to secure $113,332 of his $1,416,648 2025 salary fully guaranteed in addition to all of his 2023 and 2024 base pay. Cody Mauch received the first two years of his contract guaranteed, as well as part of his third year, which is around $329,000 worth of that’s year salary.
Bucs Draft Class Now All Under Contract
Cody Mauch marks the final cog in the Bucs 2023 draft class machine. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, outside linebacker Yaya Diaby, inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, tight end Payne Durham, wide receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez have all previously signed throughout the summer.
Mauch is expected to start at right guard this year, while Kancey will start at defensive tackle. Diaby and Durham are expected to receive some significant playing time as rookies, and the same could be true for Palmer if he shines in training camp and the preseason.
Dennis has a chance to become the Bucs’ primary backup at inside linebacker and on special teams, while Ramirez must star on special teams to make the Bucs’ 53-man roster as a reserve edge rusher.
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