So far, the Patriots known top 30 visits had been with all skill position players – wide receivers Jordan Addison and Jonathan Mingo, and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Over the weekend though, we learned they’re adding an offensive lineman to that list.

According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Patriots are one of three teams who have scheduled a visit with North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch. Mauch will also be visiting with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.

• Mauch is a two-time FCS All-American who started 39 games for NDSU over the last three seasons. Two of those games were at right tackle and 37 at left tackle. In five years total he appeared in 62 games for the Bison.

  As a blocker, Mauch competes with a nasty edge, finishes blocks, and doesn’t quit on plays. He’s also quick to adjust and help other teammates in doing so when facing more complicated rush looks from the defense.

  The biggest question with Mauch is his size. He stands 6-foot-5, 302 pounds, but he measured in with 32 3/8-inch arms at the Combine. That’s just below the 33-inch threshold teams usually go by for the tackle position. Between that and technical issues in pass protection, he’s likely a right tackle in the NFL although some teams may see him as a guard.

• How Mauch fits with the Patriots depends on how they view him. He’s projected to go early on Day 2, so if the Patriots see him as a tackle they could take him with the 46th pick, and have him compete with Riley Reiff for the starting right tackle job in 2023, with the idea that he takes the job over at least by the start of the 2024 season.

  If he’s a guard, the projection is a little hazier. Guard may be a position of need with Michael Onwenu in a contract year, and Mauch could be a long-term replacement. But the Patriots may not have the luxury of using a top-50 pick on a player that will be ‘redshirted’ given their other more immediate needs. Unless the team wants to kick Onwenu back out to right tackle – something they refused to do last season – the guard pick might have to come later.

  For a full list of prospects the Patriots have met with, check out our Patriots Pre-Draft Meeting Tracker.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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