This Senior Bowl prospect is flashing versatility Chicago Bears may covet

The Chicago Bears are at the Senior Bowl, and one of the positions with some of the top talent is in the trenches. One player that was receiving hype entering the week was North Dakota State tackle Cody Mauch.

Mauch played left tackle at NDSU, but like plenty of college prospects, the question in the NFL comes down to length and other factors that may hinder him. With that in mind, coaches and scouts had him playing with the interior lineman during practice sessions today.

“I got tackle, guard, and center work,” said Mauch. “I have a lot of film to watch, which is good.”

Mauch noted that playing all three is valuable, but beyond that, he also played the left and the right side.

“If you can play guard, tackle, and center, left or right spot, how valuable to a team are you?”

The answer would be very valuable. If you look at the Chicago Bears, they signed Lucas Patrick, who has a guard and tackle versatility. They also drafted players such as Zach Thomas, and Ja’Tyre Carter. Both of them are smaller school players who handled left tackle in that capacity but had guard potential in the NFL.

Obviously, Mauch is a bit more talented than those names and is expected to get drafted a bit higher. Still, that is why it is so valuable to see him in that role. While many players can transition inside to guard, it was even more impressive watching him do it at center.

Mauch did also add that he feels he is more of a gap scheme blocker than a zone blocker. The Chicago Bears certainly veered toward a zone blocking scheme, but as they let Justin Fields run more, and adapted the Baltimore Ravens run blocking scheme. If that change comes faster this year, Mauch would be a great addition.

Early in the draft process, Chicago Bears fans wanted Mauch to get drafted to replace Braxton Jones. However, with Mauch playing well at left guard, and the Bears having a hole in that spot, Mauch could be on the table in a completely different manner.