Charles Cross
Summary
Charles Cross was selected in the 1st Round (#9 Overall) in the 2022 Draft out of Mississippi State University. Crosspossesses many of the traits you ideally want at a left tackle: excellent footwork, good length, strong pass‑protection fundamentals, and a high ceiling. His biggest strengths are his ability to mirror edge rushers, stay balanced, and protect the blind side. On the flip side, his background in a pass‑heavy offense, relative lack of run‑blocking dominance, and early signs of needing refinement mean there are still growth areas. In a franchise role such as Seattle’s, Cross has the tools to be a cornerstone piece — the key will be his continued development, improved physicality, and becoming more consistently dominant.
Strengths
Elite pass‑protection traits: Cross was widely regarded in his draft year as one of the best college pass‑protectors available. Footwork, hand placement, mirroring speed rushers: all strong traits. His quick feet and lateral agility stand out for a tackle of his size. In the NFL, he has begun to translate those traits: he was cited as earning the ninth‑best offensive grade among tackles in one recent season, and a blocking efficiency rate of 96 % per PFF. SI
Athleticism + length + balance: Cross has the physical profile you want in a modern left tackle: adequate size, long arms, and nimble movement. His hip flexibility and ability to stay low give him the ability to take on edge rushers without getting beat on bend or speed alone. NFL Draft Buzz
Potential for improvement & high floor in pass settings: His upward trajectory in college—and early NFL signs—suggest he may continue to improve with coaching and reps. For teams prioritizing pass protection (especially with mobile quarterbacks or heavy passing schemes), Cross is a very solid fit.
Weaknesses
Run‑blocking and physicality in the ground game: A recurring criticism: because Cross played at Mississippi State in a pass‑heavy offense, his experience and polish as a downhill, power run blocker are limited. He might struggle to dominate in the run game and might lack the typical “road‑grader” mass or technique to consistently control defenders in run situations. Field Gulls
Consistency & developmental refinement: While his tools are strong, evaluators listed him as needing “some developmental time” and more strength/size refinement. In his early NFL seasons, his pass‑block efficiency dipped and he gave up pressure rates higher than ideal. Field Gulls
Aggressiveness / finishing vs high‑end defenders: One critique: Cross sometimes plays more reactively than aggressively. Against elite defenders, he occasionally gets dominated or too passive, lacking the “take over” punch you want from a premier LT. When beaten, his recovery or repositioning can be slow, especially in twist/stunt scenarios. Last Word On Sports
Fit & Outlook
Cross is entrenched as Seattle’s starting left tackle, protecting his QB’s blind side and anchoring the offensive line. Given his strong pass‑protection profile, he’s a solid fit in passing schemes and for offenses needing stability at LT. If Cross continues improving his run‑blocking, adds strength, becomes more dominant vs elite defenders, he could develop into one of the top left tackles in the league. His floor is eliable starting left tackle who holds up well in pass protection, very good overall while there is still room to grow into a top‑tier LT who also handles the run game at a high level, earns Pro Bowl or All‑Pro recognition.