Houston Texans draft prospect: Mississippi State’s Charles Cross

It’s another left tackle option for the Houston Texans with Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.

After covering Alabama’s Evan Neal, the next offensive lineman is at the same position within the same conference. Charles Cross is a redshirt sophomore and only has one full season (2021) under his belt.

Cross’ measurables from the Bulldog’s official website list him at 6’5″ and 310 pounds. Cross’ lone season landed him on the Freshman All-SEC team. The Laurel, Mississippi native, has shown that he can help the Bulldogs’ offense to excellent performances, except for their blowout loss suffered in the Liberty Bowl, where they lost 34-7 to Texas Tech.

With a limited amount of games played, so is the film available for Cross. So what’s the scoop on him, and should the Houston Texans look to take him in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft?

Charles Cross: positives worth bringing to the Houston Texans

• Long arms (Just like Neal)
• Feet are constantly moving during pass blocks
  • Slow feet are how you get hurt as an offensive lineman
• Is buttery-smooth in handling stunts to a “bump”
  • Cross’ ability to ride defenders down to his inside man and then pick up the crosser is impeccable.
    • See highlight #1 above or here 
• Incredible grip when landing his punch
  • He doesn’t let go of defender’s numbers once he makes contact

Negatives

• Reaches on some pass sets, dropping head in the process
• Seems to struggle on extreme paths from rushers
  • Either a super shallow angle attacking inside
  • Or attacking from a wide “9” technique
• Needs to get better on screens
  • Must improve locating his man and owning that block
• Hands are slow once lockout is made
  • Often makes his punch, but doesn’t re-fit hands which leaves him susceptible to “hand picks” or having his arms swatted away

Summary

A potential first-round pick that may need some tutoring due to his one season in college. Especially in the NFL, where pass-rushers have unlimited techniques to get past offensive linemen. Cross will also have to adjust to even faster speeds than what he saw at Mississippi State.

Cross should rely on his remarkable ability to pass off stunts and his visual acuity. A lot of time in training camp will create active hands to re-fit and help win more blocks. He will most likely go in the latter part of the first round unless he gets invited to the combine and tests off the charts.