Player: Charles Cross

School: Mississippi State

Height and Weight: 6’5”, 307

Combine Results:

• 40: 4.95
• Bench: DNP
• Broad Jump: 9’4”
• Vertical Jump: 26”
• 3 Cone: 7.88
• 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.61
• Other Notes: In terms of the testing aspect, Cross is right around the average among all lineman, and slightly above average in a couple of the events. His test numbers aren’t eye opening, but he had a solid day in the on field workouts. I don’t think he boosted or dropped his stock personally; he pretty much confirmed that he’s a first round tackle.

Strengths: Pass blocking, good center of gravity, never gives up, screen bait and slip out, blitz and stunt pickup/awareness 

Weaknesses: Run blocking, speed rushers, hand placement

Projected Draft Day: Day 1

Player Comparison: Terron Armstead

Player Summary: Charles Cross is an incredible pass blocker who can handle both power and speed rushers comfortably. It looked like speed rushers gave Cross slightly more issue than power rushers, but Cross’s ability to stay with his man and his play to the whistle mentality can help cover up getting beat. He always tries to keep hands on to protect his QB. One of Cross’s red flags for me was that he doesn’t hand fight a lot, and when he shoots his hands he can have a tendency of getting outside control at the shoulders or at the arms, and if speed rushers are going to continue to give him problems, this red flag could turn into a lot of yellow flags on the field. When run or pass blocking Cross keeps a solid center of gravity. Two skills that I saw from Cross that I thought were huge positives were his ability to bait the defenders into rushing and then slipping out to get out in front of screens, and his awareness when pass blocking. Cross is really good at keeping his head on a swivel to pick up blitzes and stunts, but also doesn’t prioritize the blitzer/stunter coming around. He understands who the bigger threat is and if he thinks the inside rusher will get to the QB before the blitzer/stunter he will leave them be but be aware of where they are. Cross’s weakness to me was run blocking. I think he can be serviceable, but at the same time could definitely use work. He does a nice job of using his hands to block and extend through the block as well as use his body to block out defenders, but he didn’t seem great at getting to the second level. His run blocking has the potential to become better over time with the right coaching, but if you are a pass first team looking to protect your guy at QB, Cross is the guy to take.