Former NFL Scout Stamps LT1 on Cody Mauch

North Dakota State University’s Cody Mauch put on a dominant game film clinic in these embedded three games.

This left tackle (LT) flat-out, point-blank kicked ass

I couldn’t get enough of watching him. He was so fired up against Illinois State, he started doing jumping jacks at one point.

Mauch is an offensive line coaches’ dream and he’s about to become a dream come true for the lucky NFL team that lands him in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

Needless to say, he’s my LT1. I don’t even care that he didn’t play against the highest level of competition. He’s that good showing off all of his elite characteristics.

How left tackles make a living

Mauch sealed off his side of the pocket with ease – – not one pressure or sack given up in this three game study.

He is fast and nimble on his feet.

This is how elite level left tackles are supposed to look in pass pro.

Mauch slid outside and never, not once, crossed over his feet. His hand placement was on point too.

Mr. Pancake

Wow.

If you want to see what a dominant run blocker looks like on game film, do yourself a favor, pop some popcorn and take a look at Mauch rated PG-13, available everywhere in stadiums soon, check local listings

Mauch not only showed excellent control at the point of attack with that vice-grip lock he has for hands, but his favorite hobby is driving defenders into the turf like he’s an undertaker.

Sometimes, he even pounces on them for good measure.

Mauch’s playing speed

I’ve got to pause for stations to identify themselves and dedicate a section just talking about Mauch’s playing speed.

All cute stuff aside – – it’s astonishing.

Mauch’s playing speed and how quickly he moves around is eye-popping.

He moves around out in space with ease like last year’s first-round center, Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens).

Mauch kicks outside and drives out defenders on the edge with ease, and he pulls like it’s something he was born to do it.

Out at the second level – – where the linebackers reside – – he has a P.O. Box.

He can even get way downfield without issue.

I love everything about this guy

Anybody who is familiar with my evaluations, knows I am the hardest grader in America.

I like very few of the prospects and love even fewer. I could put on a lot of prospects’ game film to put myself to sleep at night, but I could use Mauch’s game film as my alarm clock.

This guy excites me. He gives me that feeling in the pit of my stomach. I can’t tell you how rare that is and how many hundreds of hours of game film I have to sort through to feel this.

However, when I feel it, I know it.

John Madden would have got berserk for Mauch. I love everything about this guy, his fun personality, the missing front teeth, the wild hair coming out the back of his helmet, and on game film he looks like a bouncer who could throw Mike Tyson out of a club.

Send the card in. Run, don’t walk.

#70 Cody Mauch 6-foot-6, 303 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 6.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of January 16, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Bust Probability: Low

2022 game film reviewed: Arizona, South Dakota State, and Illinois State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: Low

Note: Flexibility: RG (2019), RT (2020)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Fast and nimble super aggressive coordinated tackle with long arms who plays with excellent technique. Freaky athletic ability. Effortlessly slides out without crossing footwork to serve as a perimeter forcefield. Strong inside hand placement at the point and maintains. Handles stunts, blitzes. Pivots inside on interior gap rushing attempts. Can devastate on screens. Gets out to the sidelines in time. Decent bull rush anchor (former TE). Tenacious run blocker with elite power and sustain. Blocks like he means it. Gets fired up. Moves around, pulls, and seals at the second level like it’s second nature, but can over-aggress and miss. His guy ends up by the pile sometimes and there were a few one-offs, but this is about as good as it gets. Don’t overthink this one.

Final words

This is the first guy you want walking off the team bus.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.