Seahawks take OT Charles Cross with pick 9: Here’s the grade

The Seattle Seahawks stayed pat at pick number 9 in the 2022 NFL draft and chose offensive tackle Charles Cross. Is Cross a good choice?

Cross could start at right tackle in the NFL as he has the athleticism to play either right side or left. Choosing Cross doesn’t mean that Seattle doesn’t re-sign Duane Brown. In fact, Cross could start on the right side and take Brandon Shell’s place while Brown plays one year at left.

Cross is a smart player while also being 6’4″ and 310 pounds. It also helps that he has played in the SEC so he is used to NFL-ready players. Actually, the SEC is pretty much as close to one can get to the minor leagues of the NFL as anything can get.

Seahawks take Charles Cross at pick 9 in the 2022 NFL draft

Players who transition from the SEC to the NFL are as close to NFL-ready as possible. The speed of NFL edge rushers won’t be shocking to Cross after facing the same kind of speed from players from Alabama and Georgia. Cross is explosive out of his stance and immediately attacks the opponent.

The only real drawback at this point is that Cross played 80 percent of his snaps in 2021 in pass protection. For a team like the Seahawks that probably want to get back to running the ball more, Cross might have a bit of a learning curve in blocking bull rushes from the inside against high-end defensive tackles.

But there is no reason to think Cross can’t do it and by 2023 could be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Cross has the strength and speed to acclimate quickly. He was also well-coached in Mississippi State.

The question about Cross isn’t whether he will be good; He will. The question is where he will play in year one before likely moving to the left side in 2023. There he could be a 10-year starter.

Grade: A