Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Significantly undersized for an NFL defensive tackle, with a frame that creates legitimate concerns about durability and ability to hold ground against pro-level offensive linemen.
• Struggles mightily when caught directly by double-teams, getting uprooted and driven out of his gap despite fighting to re-anchor with proper technique.
• Lacks the arm length to dictate initial engagement, frequently forced to counter rather than control blockers and losing valuable time in the process.
• Shows minimal ability to collapse the pocket with power moves, limiting his pass rush arsenal primarily to finesse and quickness-based counters.
• Over-aggression leads to occasional gap integrity issues, creating cutback lanes when he shoots upfield too quickly on run plays designed to exploit his eagerness.

Scouting Report: Summary

Cross enters the league as a defensive lineman whose calling card is creating interior havoc with quickness and technique rather than power and size. The tape shows a player whose impact comes primarily through disruption in the passing game - shooting gaps, winning with hand usage, and creating immediate penetration that forces quarterbacks off their spots. His wrestling background manifests in exceptional leverage and hand-fighting abilities that allow him to play bigger than his frame suggests, though these technical advantages only partially offset his physical limitations.

He profiles as a rotational defensive tackle in attacking, one-gap fronts where his quickness can be weaponized rather than schemes that ask him to hold ground against double teams. The film reveals a defender who thrives when allowed to penetrate but struggles when asked to anchor against power. This suggests an immediate role as a designated pass-rush specialist on third downs while developing a more complete game over time. His NFL bloodlines show in his football instincts and technical refinement, traits that should serve him well despite physical disadvantages.

The most realistic projection sees Cross carving out a focused but valuable role rather than becoming an every-down defender. While his motor and technical prowess will endear him to position coaches, the physical realities of the NFL interior will limit his deployment. What makes Cross intriguing is the combination of high-level production in college and the athletic traits to translate that disruptive ability in specific situations at the pro level. Defensive fronts that utilize multiple alignments and value penetration over anchoring provide his clearest path to consistent playing time.