The Bucs offensive line was up there with the NFL’s best in 2024, and every member of the unit played a role in that. But as much talk as there’s been about the excellence of Tampa Bay’s tackles and even the rookie season that center Graham Barton had, right guard Cody Mauch deserves more credit for the improvement he displayed in his second season.

Mauch, a second-round pick by the Bucs in the 2023 NFL Draft, certainly had some growing pains as a rookie. Of course, he was transitioning from left tackle to right guard while going from North Dakota State to the NFL. It was bound to make for some ups and downs, but Tampa Bay showed a lot of belief in him from the jump, and it paid off in 2024.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: USA Today

“I am so much more comfortable now,” Mauch told Bucs Total Access in December. “The thing about the transition last year, especially pass pro-wise, was you do three years at left tackle and you are so use to throwing your outside hand with your left and now you are on the right side at guard and everything happens so much faster. It was so dumb because last year I knew what I wanted to do and what I had to do but my body just wouldn’t do it.

“Finally, I got after it a little bit during the offseason and figured some things out. The biggest thing is on the inside you can throw your hands and you have a way better shot…Now, my body is listening to my head and I am more confident.”

That offseason work – and the improved confidence that came with it – showed this season as Mauch played a key role in a Tampa Bay offensive line that was the anchor for one of the league’s best offenses. Quarterback Baker Mayfield set career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage, rookie running back Bucky Irving became the Bucs’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Doug Martin in 2015 and Mike Evans reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark for an NFL-record-tying 11th straight season.

Tristan Wirfs took another step in his second year at left tackle and earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Veteran Ben Bredeson came in and shored up a left guard position that Tampa Bay needed improvement from after Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie split time there in 2023.

Rookie center Graham Barton showed a great deal of promise as he dealt with his own position switch from tackle to center. And right tackle Luke Goedeke stacked a second impressive season at right tackle, setting himself up for a big-time payday – potentially as soon as this offseason.

But don’t let Cody Mauch’s giant step forward get lost in the shuffle. He just turned 26 last week, and the arrow looks to be pointing up as he now prepares for Year 3. There’s a reason why he was voted as Pewter Report’s Most Improved Offensive Player for this season, after all.

A Closer Look At Cody Mauch’s Step Up In 2024

Bucs RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: USA Today

It’s safe to say that Pro Football Focus’ grading system reflected the growing pains that Cody Mauch experienced as a rookie in 2023.

He finished with an overall grade of 43.9, a run blocking grade of 37.6 and a pass blocking grade of 52.1. He was credited with 57 pressures allowed, including eight sacks. It also didn’t help that he was flagged five times on the year.

There were a lot of moments Mauch would’ve liked to forget from his first season. But it’s better that he didn’t forget them, as he learned and grew into a star-in-the-making this season.

Statistically, the only thing that really stayed consistent from Year 1 to Year 2 for Mauch was his availability. After playing 1,236 of a possible 1,236 snaps as a rookie, the 6-foot-6, 303-pounder played 1,178 of a possible 1,178 snaps this season.

And as far as the rest of his statistics and the grades that came with them, they really illustrate the growth and reliability Mauch showed week in and week out on tape.

That 43.9 overall grade in 2023 turned into a 74.6 mark in 2024. He went from a 37.6 run blocking grade last year to a 68.4 this season. And in pass protection, he was an absolute stud. His 52.1 grade from 2023 skyrocketed to a 77.2 mark in 2024. After allowing 57 pressures and eight sacks as a rookie, he dropped those totals to 19 and two, respectively. That’s a huge step up in play for No. 69.

Among Tampa Bay’s starting five offensive linemen, Mauch trailed only Wirfs in pass blocking grade and was only behind Goedeke in run blocking grade.

While the Bucs are waiting to see what the future holds for offensive coordinator Liam Coen, their young offensive line gives them an outstanding foundation to work with as they look to keep things rolling in 2025. And Cody Mauch has now proven that he can be a major part of that foundation.