What Big Ray wants to see out of Seahawks LT Charles Cross

In a great example of irony, the Seattle Seahawks took the top-10 pick draft pick they received from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade and used it to invest in protecting the quarterback.

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The Seahawks consistently had problems on the offensive line during Wilson’s tenure at quarterback, especially in his final few seasons. After his final campaign in Seattle, the franchise selected left tackle Charles Cross with the ninth pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Mississippi State product has been a welcomed addition to the trenches in Seattle. He immediately became the starter opposite fellow rookie Abraham Lucas in 2022, and he’s started all but three games in his two years as a Seahawk.

Even with the strong play of Cross, former Seahawks offensive lineman Ray Roberts would like to see him take a step forward in one aspect this coming season. It’s not necessarily something to do with his play on the field, either. Roberts explained what it is when he joined Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Monday.

“For the last couple of years, or at least this first couple of years, I think that just the mentality of the (offensive line) room, you kind of leaned on (right tackle) Abe Lucas a lot because he kind of has this demeanor that is just kind of mean and tough and no nonsense and that kind of stuff,” said Roberts, who is an analyst for the Seahawks Radio Network. “And I think because of that, we’ve kind of given Charles Cross a pass. But to me, if you’re the stud left tackle – you’re the former first-round, top-10 pick – on most offensive lines you’re the guy. And so I think this year it’s time for Charles to kind of maybe step out of his comfort zone a little bit and be more of (a leader) – not that you have to be a rah-rah dude and all that kind stuff. But the room needs a voice and I think that he’s a guy that has to step up and do it.”

The 23-year-old Cross is entering his third NFL season, which Roberts pointed out as a time in his NFL career when he felt comfortable in knowing everything he needed to perform his best. Roberts also noted that Cross avoided the dreaded sophomore slump last year.

“I remember they always say there’s a big jump between your first and second year as far as how you play and all that kind of stuff,” Roberts said, “and I think – minus some of the injuries and a couple of bad games here and there – I think Charles Cross has made the jump. I think he knows what has to happen and what he has to do and how to prepare to be a player in this league, but now I just think it’s time for him to kind of take the offensive line room by the throat and be like, ‘Hey, this is my room. Follow me. This is how we’re going to do it. This is how I work.’ We’ve heard a lot about (how) his approach to the game is very mature and veteran-like. Well, now he has to to lead like veteran.”

Listen to the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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