These three Seahawks will have the biggest impact on a Week 1 win

Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross

The guy who is going to protect Geno Smith’s blindside is going to be ultra-important in Week 1. But feel free to flash forward five years and I will probably be writing the same thing for Week 1 of 2026. Charles Cross has looked spectacular in the preseason and appears to be very worthy of being chosen number 9 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

At least, and this is extremely important, Cross did well against players who mostly were fighting for roster spots and backup positions. Can he be very good – not just average or slightly above-average but actually good – versus the great edge rushers of the NFL? He will need to be from Week 1 through forever.

If Cross isn’t very good once real games begin, the Seahawks are in massive trouble. Part of the reason Seattle might be successful this season is based on the unknowns that are the team’s rookies. The Seahawks are going to have young players everywhere on the field but those young guys also have raw high-end talent.

For Seattle to defeat the Broncos, or any other team in 2022, Cross is going to have to keep the quarterback clean. He was fantastic in college while playing in the SEC against a bunch of players who will be good pros. Cross gave up one pressure in the preseason. He seems to be a great pick for the Seahawks. Now he needs to prove it when the real games begin.