Ranking the 9 best Panthers draft options at No. 6 overall in 2022

Carolina Panthers could draft Charles Cross

• Offensive Tackle | Mississippi State

It’s been a long time since the Carolina Panthers had a legitimate left tackle to call their own. Jordan Gross has never been truly replaced and this might be the year a true stud from the college ranks is acquired to potentially solidify one of the more problem positions at last.

Perhaps the most likely to be available at No. 6 overall is Charles Cross. The Mississippi State product is exceptionally gifted in pass protection sets, displaying the length, technique, and athleticism to keep even the most gifted edge rushers at bay.

Labeling Cross as a beneficiary of the Bulldogs’ Air Raid offense is a mistake. This scheme puts a significant amount of pressure on tackles and the supreme level of consistency he displayed makes him one of the best prospects entering the league this year.

Although he wasn’t tasked with much responsibility in this area, Cross is also a very capable run blocker. In fact, it was an area where he thrived in high school before transitioning well to a completely different system.

If the Panthers ended up going with Cross, it would provide whoever is under center with a bookend tackle tandem with Taylor Moton on the right-hand side. Considering the expected improvements on the interior, this could make all the difference in the pursuit of more wins in 2022.