Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
![Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19589190-850x560-d5ac150aaa09017c71125aa74c12150e0be896847e460062b561070ea380fffe.jpg)
Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
The 5th-7th rounds are the ideal time to bet on small school prospects that have great potential and North Dakota State OT Cody Mauch fits that bill. NDSU has risen in national prominence thanks to guys like Carson Wentz, Trey Lance, and Christian Watson being early top draft picks and they have produced some solid offensive lineman as well.
Mauch is shooting up the draft boards and he ranges anywhere from a 3rd to 7th round selection but he is available at 191 in this draft and we are going to snatch him up. He measures in at 6-6, 303 and is a tall, lean athlete that looks great out in space. His scouting report praises his length and ability to attack defensive players at the second level.
The NDSU senior will be making his way to the Senior Bowl to test himself against elite competition and he has a chance to build his draft stock further. He will need to improve some of his technique against shorter edge rushers but will have plenty of time to do so before the draft. He projects as a left tackle at the NFL level after playing it in college but can slide in at right tackle and be an immediate upgrade at swing tackle for the Raiders.