Predicting which Seahawks rookies will have the greatest impact

Number 1: Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross

This one is the most obvious, right? Cross’ career won’t be based on what he does in his rookie season but his reputation will be affected somewhat either way. He has the skill to be immediately good, especially in pass protection, and if he somewhat masters run blocking, he could be a Pro Bowler by 2023. But he first has to prove he wasn’t a bust in the first round of 2021. No pressure, right?

Well, unfortunately for Cross, there is immediate pressure because he will be replacing Duane Brown who was a great left tackle in the NFL for more than a decade. Or maybe this isn’t unfortunate. Cross appears to have the psyche to want to impress from day one. He has the physical gifts to be good and he appears to be intelligent as well. The only question left unanswered is how quickly he can acclimate to the speed of the NFL.

If the answer to this is “quickly” then Seattle has found its starting left tackle for the next 10 years. If the answer is “not quickly” then the 2022 season is doomed from the get-go and John Schneider will answer questions all season long about why he chose Cross in the first round.

Is this fair? Not at all. But it is the day and age we live in. People want immediate success and don’t have patience for greatness. Cross might possibly be very good by the middle of 2022. But the next many years’ success is partly based on how good Cross truly is.