Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Charles Cross is pass-pro gold
Charles Cross scouting report
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 307 pounds
- Arm length: 34.5 inches
- 40-yard dash: 4.95
- 2021 PFF grade: 86.7
On the surface, seeing Charles Cross’ physical attributes does not make anyone think he is a top-tier lineman prospect. But when watching him on film and at the NFL Scouting Combine, it becomes clear why he is a projected top-10 pick thanks to his jaw-dropping fluidity, athleticism, and technique.
There is a reason why the Mississippi-raised tackle had one of the pass protection win rates in college football last season. Cross has incredibly smooth, quick feet and his anchor against a straight bull rush is outstanding.
However, his best quality is the use of the catch technique.
This technique is a way to limit a pass rusher’s ability to swim, rip, or spin past a blocker. By allowing the defender to come into him first, Cross can latch his hands onto the outside of the defender’s shoulder pads to trap the defender in his grasp.
Cross has physical hands and so much fluidity in his hips and feet that he can do all of this without committing holding penalties. Even when he cannot catch a defender, the prospect has the body control and football IQ to control the leverage against a pass rusher, meaning he will rarely get beat one-on-one in pass protection.
Run blocking is not exactly Cross’ strength. But with good coaching in a zone-running scheme, he would be a quality road grader.
The negatives in run blocking on Cross is that he plays too high at times, and he lacks some physicality on his first strike. However, the redshirt sophomore has fantastic mobility, and his ability to move, in addition to his high football intelligence, allows him to create space for the ball carrier to run into.
One big negative about Cross’ game is he is susceptible to misstepping and whiffing on blocks after the snap. But these are few and far between.
The rough parts of Cross’ game can be smoothed over. And the positives he brings to the left tackle position heavily outweigh the downsides.
At the very least, Cross will be a solid pass protector in the NFL. He has an All-Pro ceiling and is someone that can assist the Carolina Panthers an untold amount.