Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Charles Cross is pass-pro gold

How would Charles Cross fit on the Carolina Panthers?

• Week 1 starting left tackle

The former first-team All-American would slot into the left tackle spot immediately if he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. There is absolutely no doubt about that whatsoever.

Adding a blue-chip left tackle prospect alongside top-tier right tackle Taylor Moton would give the rest of the offense a lot more confidence in the protection. The offensive line was a disaster, but with the recent additions in free agency, drafting Cross to an already much-improved group would rejuvenate the passing game and the running game.

Carolina would not be able to trade down and select Cross outside the top-10. Barring a catastrophic drop, he will be drafted somewhere in the 5-10 range based on projections from many respected draft analysts up and down the country.

The Panthers would be wise to select a left tackle despite the obvious need for a long-term solution at quarterback. If Cross performs up to or above expectations, he would solidify the position for the next decade and would finally be the successor to Jordan Gross that Carolina has craved for many years.

The selection of a lineman at No. 6 overall would not be sexy. But it would surely help the offense a ton, and it would fix the second most important position for new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for the first time in a good while.