Mel Kiper gives stunning stat on Charles Cross from the 2022 season

NFL draft analysts everywhere are excited about Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross. The former five-star prospect is in the mix to be the first offensive lineman off the board in 2022. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper went into his impressive resume on Wednesday night’s Mock Draft 1.0 special.

The Carolina Panthers have the sixth pick in the draft and Kiper argues there’s no better tackle prospect for them than Cross. After watching all the tape, Mel Kiper revealed that Cross gave up just a single sack in 2021.

“I don’t care who it’s going to be,” Kiper started. “You don’t have a chance if you can’t protect the quarterback. They’re good at right tackle, not at left tackle. Charles Cross, watching his pass protection every week at Mississippi State, really impressed. Now Sam William of Ole Miss got him for a sack. Outside of that, Charles Cross in pass protection is basically flawless this entire year for Mississippi State. He’s exactly what Carolina needs. You talk about whether it’s Sam Darnold. Go out and get DeShaun Watson, whoever it is. They got to better on the offensive line. It begins at left tackle.”

Charles Cross helped Mississippi State go 7-5 overall this season and 4-4 in SEC play. He opted out of the bowl game to begin preparation for the NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Todd McShay is on the same page as Kiper on the Laurel, Miss. native.

“Cross from Mississippi State, playing in the Mike Leach system, just one sack allowed as Kiper alluded to this past year,” Todd McShay said. “(He) was in pass protection more than any of these other offensive linemen we’re talking about in the first round. So the Panthers desperately need pass protection and that’s what Cross can bring to the table especially coming right out of that Mike Leach system.”

The NFL Draft starts on April 28.

Kiper believes in Evan Neal

Although Mel Kiper is clearly impressed with Charles Cross, he sees Evan Neal as the first OT off the board.

The Alabama standout could go to the Houston Texans at No. 3 overall.

“You think about Evan Neal, you think about the versatility he brings to that offensive line with Houston,” Kiper said. “Laremy Tunsil could he be traded?

“You think about where Houston will be with left tackle, with Neal. Could be at right tackle. Start him there. Start him at guard. He is a mountain of a man. Certainly, a guy very experienced and tremendously versatile. So he gives that offensive line – depending on the pieces that are still there – the ability to make an impact right away because he’s played and started at three different positions along the offensive line for the Crimson Tide at Alabama.”

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.