The Bucs were set to address their hole at offensive tackle before the draft, but they didn’t pick one — instead, the first lineman they picked up was a guard in the second round.
Here’s the rundown on second-round pick OL [autotag]Cody Mauch[/autotag]:
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 302 lbs
Age: 24
Hometown: Hankinson, North Dakota
Scouting Report (Dane Brugler, The Athletic): “A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Mauch manned the left tackle position in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy, gap-power scheme. A 220-pound walk-on tight end, he morphed into a 300-pound left tackle, which has been a smooth transition because of his natural athleticism and unrestrained intensity (had his two front teeth knocked out during a seventh-grade basketball game and doesn’t plan to have them replaced until he is done with football). Although he wasn’t often challenged on an island in pass protection, Mauch has the foot quickness and body control to comfortably operate in space and skillfully maneuver from block to block. His technical approach needs continued refinement, but he is a sticky blocker in the run game, using his hands to latch, create leverage and reset engagement. Overall, Mauch doesn’t have ideal length or sand in his lower body, but he has outstanding movement skills, fierce handwork and innate competitiveness to become a starter early in his NFL career. He should get a look at tackle first but also projects well inside, reminiscent of Mitch Morse.”
What GM Jason Licht said: “His extracurricular activity when the whistle is still echoing, his pure passion for the game, his athleticism is really, really underrated – he’s a great athlete. Really quick, really flexible, has great bend.”
RAS card
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