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PLAYSTYLE & SCHEME FIT
Charles Cross is one of the more athletically gifted tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft. His quickness and fluidity first allow him to redirect opposing pass rushers with relative ease. At 6-5 305lbs, he has a good length. He uses his length combined with a well-timed punch to win at the point of attack. Cross plays with good hands, and his punch allows him to move defenders off their track consistently.
In pass protection, Cross forces defenders to convert speed to power by not allowing them to move inside or outside of him. The pitfall of this is that he can be bulled into the QB when the defender uses a power move. He struggles to anchor quick enough against stronger defenders off the edge.
Because he is a lean player, he can be inconsistent as a run blocker. He is a capable run blocker who must improve his hand placement. He can sometimes allow his hands to get too far outside. Improving his pinching ability and hand strength to keep his hands inside will be key at the NFL level.
Overall, Cross is a solid LT prospect, just a shade outside our instant impact player ceiling; Cross can overshoot our projection by adding functional weight and increasing his overall strength.
PLAYER COMPARISON:
CEILING GRADE ANALYSIS
Near Elite (70-74)
A high-caliber prospect who is expected to become a significant contributor by Year 2. These players have outstanding physical tools and strong football IQ, with only minor flaws in their game. They demonstrate consistency at a high level and project as future Pro Bowl-caliber players if properly developed.
Primary scout:
Brandon Lundberg
Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Grade Scale
Football Scout 365 grades reflect a prospect’s projected long-term NFL value and role. Draft ranges are general value projections, not predictions of an exact selection. Positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical information and athletic testing can influence where a player is ultimately selected.
How Football Scout 365 Grades NFL Draft Prospects
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Elite (75+): A rare, high-impact prospect with elite physical tools, advanced football intelligence and the ability to make an immediate NFL impact. Elite prospects carry franchise-altering potential and typically project as top 5–10 selections in the first round.
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Near Elite (70–74): A high-caliber prospect with outstanding physical tools, strong football intelligence and only minor developmental limitations. Near Elite prospects project as significant early-career contributors with Pro Bowl upside and first-round draft value.
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High-End Starter Potential (65–69): A starting-caliber prospect with strong physical tools, quality technical skills and a defined NFL role. These players may require development before reaching their ceiling but generally carry second- or third-round draft value.
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Mid-Level Starter Potential (60–64): A solid prospect with NFL-level tools and a pathway to becoming a dependable starter if key limitations are addressed. These players generally carry third- to fifth-round draft value.
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Low-Level Starter Potential (55–59): A developmental prospect who could become a low-end starter, high-end backup or valuable specialist in the right role. These players generally carry fifth- to seventh-round draft value.
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Backup Level (50–54): A depth or rotational prospect with enough functional ability to compete for an NFL roster spot but limited long-term starting potential. These players generally project as late Day 3 selections or priority undrafted free agents.
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Not NFL Level (Below 50): A developmental or camp prospect who does not currently demonstrate enough consistency, technical refinement or functional NFL traits to project as a regular contributor. These players generally project as undrafted free agents, practice-squad candidates or camp invitations.
Draft position can vary based on positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical evaluation and athletic testing.