RENTON, Wash. — With their highest draft pick since 2010 the Seattle Seahawks did what they did then — draft an offensive tackle they hope can hold down the position for years, selecting Charles Cross of Mississippi State.
It was the first time the Seahawks made a pick inside the top 10 since selecting left tackle Russell Okung sixth overall in 2010, the first draft for general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll.
Per the league’s collective bargaining agreement, Cross will get a four-year contract worth up to $24,486,370 including a signing bonus of $14,988,268, according to OvertheCap.com. Cross will count $4.45 million against Seattle’s salary cap in 2022.
First-round picks also include a team option for a fifth year to be exercised after the third year of the deal.
Cross fills a huge need for Seattle as the Seahawks entered the draft with just three offensive tackles on the roster — second-year players Jake Curhan, Greg Eiland and Stone Forsythe. Seattle has not signed last year’s two starting tackles — Duane Brown on the left side and Brandon Shell on the right — each of whom remain free agents.
Cross, listed at 6-5, 310, had generally been considered as the third best of three offensive tackles thought worthy of going in the top 10.
The other two went earlier — Ikem Ekonwu of Mississippi State to Carolina and Evan Neal of Alabama to the Giants.
Seattle considered trading the pick and especially moving down to get more picks but ultimately decided on Cross.
Cross was generally considered as the best pass-blocking tackle available in the draft, while playing in the pass-happy system of former WSU coach Mike Leach.
The question will be how well he can adapt to the NFL at just 21 years old and coming out as a redshirt sophomore, and how quickly he adapts to NFL run blocking.
Seattle’s top needs have generally been perceived to be offensive tackle, edge rusher and cornerback.
But by pick seven, the top two at each of those spots was off the board, including the top three edge rushers (Travon Walker first to the Jaguars, Aidan Hutchinson second to the Lions and Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth to the Giants).
It’s the first time since 1992 that the first three picks were all defense, a draft in which the first pick was defensive tackle Steve Emtman of Washington.
Many mocks had Seattle taking one of cornerbacks Derek Stingley or Ahmad Gardner if they fell to nine. But both went as early as anyone expected so the Seahawks may have to wait until later in the draft to take a corner if they want one.
