NFL executive compares Cody Mauch to former Buccaneers stud
By Josh Hill
An NFL executive sounds like they’re a huge fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafting Cody Mauch.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered this offseason, it fair to say things looked pretty grim. Tom Brady’s decision to retire dropped the curtain on the last three years and forced the team to reckon with its future.
That future included multiple key free agents, more than $35 million in dead cap, and a $55 million salary cap knot to untangle. The bill had come due for the Brady Era and the medicine wasn’t going to be easy to swallow.
Somehow Jason Licht and the front office managed to masterfully navigate the treacherous waters and made a lot out of seemingly little. Jamel Dean was re-signed, Lavonte David came back, and the team added guys like Baker Mayfield and former Cowboys running back coach Skip Peete.
The good times kept rolling at the NFL Draft where the Bucs out together what could be a home run class with potential studs across the roster.
NFL executive compares Cody Mauch to former Bucs star
Cody Mauch was an instant fan favorite when he was drafted in the second round out of North Dakota State. Tampa’s Toothless King seemed to fit like a glove the instant he was picked and things have only gotten better since.
One executive compared Mauch to former Buccaneers lineman Alex Cappa, someone the team has been missing ever since he left for the Bengals in free agency a few years ago.
"“I really liked the second-round pick, the North Dakota State kid (tackle Cody Mauch, who will play guard). He completely fits the mold of what they look for on the line from a grit, toughness, get-after-you mentality. Reminds me of Alex Cappa."
This is obviously music to the ears of Bucs fans who are still reeling from what happened last year with the offensive line. One of the top positional needs coming into the draft was tackle, both with what happened but also with the release of Donovan Smith.
Outside of Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen, the offensive line will have an entirely new makeup — which includes Wirfs moving from right to left tackle.
Mauch doesn’t help plug that hole but he does provide much needed relief at guard. If he turns out to be another Alex Cappa, then the Bucs can feel very good about adding him to the team.