Broncos Draft: Potentially the best offensive tackle at pick No. 29
We have talked about it countless times, all off-season and basically the entire season. Russell Wilson needs the Denver Broncos to get him some help. Really though, he was sacked the most in the NFL at 55 times, which would have been the most since the 2018 season. I don't know about you, but I'd […]
We have talked about it countless times, all off-season and basically the entire season. Russell Wilson needs the Denver Broncos to get him some help. Really though, he was sacked the most in the NFL at 55 times, which would have been the most since the 2018 season.
I don't know about you, but I'd like to see Wilson on the ground laying in the grass a lot less in 2023. And they have the opportunity to do that with a new coaching staff and the offseason.
They could use the free agency market to get better on the offensive line, which a lot of teams do. Or, they could use the draft, in which they still have some picks despite trading a ton away for Wilson.
At pick 29, there is a guy that could and should be available, that may have the highest ceiling of any offensive lineman in the draft. The Broncos should take a flyer on the guy.
Cody Mauch, the offensive lineman from North Dakota State, has the chance to be the best offensive lineman in the draft class. He is the 42nd-ranked prospect by Pro Football Focus standards and is the fifth-ranked tackle in the draft.
Even at 42nd, the Broncos should take him at 29 if they get the chance. With where they are picking, there won't be too many opportunities to take an offensive tackle. At pick 29, you will see a lot of the top prospects available be defensive guys, and that really isn't the Broncos' biggest need.
Mauch had the best college career in terms of overall grading by PFF of any offensive tackle in the draft. Last season he finished with a 90.8 grade, which was third best of all tackles. In 2021 he finished with an 88.9 grade, and in 2020 he finished with an 82.8 grade.
So, a lot of people will ask, since he is so good why is he ranked so low compared to the guys above him? Well, this guy played at North Dakota State, and the competition isn't nearly as great as in power five.
The draft analyst will hold that against him. They don't like the fact that he didn't play at a better school, but at the same time, North Dakota State has made some pretty good players at the professional level.
I think this guy has some huge potential, but I also think he has a low floor. We don't really know because of the competition he plays against.
According to PFF, his pass protection technique is still a work in progress, so a move inside could be in his future. The Broncos just so happen to need every position on the offensive line, so if a move was necessary, I'd be fine with it.
But, Mauch is very athletic, and may very well be one of the more athletic tackles in the draft. I'd love to see him in orange and blue.
Featured Image Via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
