When the New England Patriots selected offensive guard Cole Strange at No. 29 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, it caused shockwaves throughout the league.
A projected third-round pick prior to the draft, Strange, a Chattanooga product, became just the fourth FCS player in the past five drafts to be selected in the first round. Strange played and started in each of the Patriots 17 games in 2022, so could New England target another FCS offensive lineman in back-to-back seasons?
With their top-30 visits officially underway, New England has stuck to primarily skill players up to this point. But according to NFL Network, the Patriots have added North Dakota State lineman Cody Mauch to the list.
"Mauch might not go as high as fellow FCS lineman Cole Strange did in the 2022 NFL Draft cycle, but he has the tools and disposition to be a coveted prospect within the top 75 picks," Pro Football Network writes. "Mauch is an absolutely powerful finisher at the point of attack who explodes off the line and moves very easily in space. He’s a road-grader on the ground who also flashes good footwork, hand usage, and leverage management in pass protection."
At 6-5 and 302 pounds, Mauch is a two-time All-American that started 39 games for the Bison over the past three seasons including 37 at left tackle.
New England joins the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans in scheduling Mauch for a visit up to this point.
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
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