Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
6-foot-5
307 pounds
Yahoo Sports’ 2022 NFL draft grade
6.26 — possible first-rounder; possible immediate starter
Here’s how we use our prospect grades for the 2022 NFL draft. (Albert Corona/Yahoo Sports)
TL;DR scouting report
Light-footed left tackle whose transformation from Air Raid pass sets could lead to early lumps, but he has Pro Bowl upside as a blindside protector
The skinny
A 5-star Rivals recruit (17th nationally) in the Class of 2019, Cross flipped from Florida State to the Bulldogs. He received a few snaps as a freshman in 2019 under former head coach Joe Moorhead before winning the starting left tackle job in 2020, playing every snap there that season, under new head coach Mike Leach. As a redshirt sophomore, Cross received all-conference and some All-America mentions in a 12-start season. He opted out of the team’s bowl game and declared early for the 2022 NFL draft following the season.
Mississippi State OT Charles Cross took a big step in his development in 2021. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Upside
Ideal length — just shy of 6-5, with 34 1/2-inch arms and 10 3/4-inch hands
Nice athletic profile — light on his feet with very good straight-ahead burst
Well-distributed weight an has a frame capable of adding bulk
Excellent 40-yard dash (4.95 seconds) with very good 10-yard split (1.73)
Very little wasted movement in his approach
Good flexibility and balance — can mirror quick rushers and cut off initial rush moves
Decent recovery ability
Can turn defenders off their desired rush paths
Decent core strength to torque and uproot defenders
Works contact on the move — rides defenders forward or laterally
Natural hand technician — quick-reaction and exchange skills to parry rushers
Lands quick jabs and keeps opponents guessing with punch placement
Able to work off combo…
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