Mel Kiper, Todd McShay reveals quarterbacks could force Charles Cross to drop

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both think highly of former Mississippi State left tackle Charles Cross. However, there’s plenty of debate as to where Cross will be picked in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In their ESPN First Draft special, Kiper and McShay debated the possibility that Cross could be selected by the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 overall.

“I think you either take the quarterback, or then it becomes Charles Cross,” started McShay, regarding the Panthers pick. “What’s your evaluation of Charles Cross, the Mississippi State offensive tackle? Who’s a very good left tackle, excellent in pass protection, that Mike Leach system. Really refined his game in the past year. I think has the footwork, enough length and the ability to mirror and slide as a pass protector. So, it’ll be great to bring in Cross here. It’s a little rich for my blood, but it’s an offensive tackle position that you really need. Or do you just bite the bullet, and say you’re going with Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett at quarterback, Kipe?”

While it’s a tough decision for Kiper, he believes Cross makes the most sense for Carolina with their first round pick.

“Todd, this is rough. This is tough,” started Kiper. “Because Matt Rhule’s got to win this year. And we all thought Deshaun Watson was going to be the guy. Matt Rhule’s got to win. [David] Tepper, the owner, thought they were going to get Deshaun Watson. Someway, somehow. They were not going to let Deshaun Watson go somewhere else. And here he is, in Cleveland.

“Sam Darnold — 3-0 with Christian McCaffrey. The offensive line wasn’t very good. They added Bradley Bozeman at center. Added Austin Corbett at guard. You still got a left tackle issue. Charles Cross makes the most sense here, I think for the Carolina Panthers. I’m with you on quarterback. Kenny Pickett would be the guy over Malik Willis, I think because they got to win. We got a 24-year old in Pickett, Charles Cross, a left tackle, would certainly help Sam Darnold. That blindside protector, which he’s tremendously experienced at in the Mississippi State offense.

“So, Charles Cross would be hard to overlook here. I would be thinking, I’d be fearful of moving down. Maybe losing a quarterback. Is Kenny Pickett worthy of being a top ten pick, is he better in the middle of the first? Moving down, if you can still get Pickett, I think would be the best case scenario. If you’re in love with Pickett and say we can’t afford to maybe lose him, roll the dice and we can lose him, I don’t want to take that gamble. Then, you stay there and you reach a little bit. We both agree Todd, you and I, it’s way too high for a quarterback at six. Ok? So, with that in mind, you want to just go Charles Cross here?”

Evidently, both ESPN NFL Draft experts are in agreement — Charles Cross to the Panthers at No. 6.

“I’m good with it,” responded McShay. “I think it makes the most sense at this spot. Just for everyone listening, it won’t shock me at all if it is a quarterback.”

Charles Cross is one of the more interesting prospects in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. Whether it’s the Panthers or another team, Cross will be a huge get for whichever team selects him.