“It’s not a sexy pick, but it’s a smart one.” That’s what you’ll often hear on TV when a team picks an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL draft. While it’s one of hundreds of tired draft clichés we’d rather do without, it often rings true. The Seahawks certainly hope it will this time, anyway.
Last night Seattle threw a curveball by actually playing things straight for a change in Round 1. By taking Mississippi State’s stud OT Charles Cross at No. 9 overall they selected the best left tackle still on the board – ideally filling a critical position with a quality starter for at least the next five years on a relatively-cheap rookie contract.
Cross is supposed to be the best pass protecting lineman in this class – making his selection an almost shocking development for a team that usually prioritizes establishing the run to a fault and then drags it out for another three yards after contact.
