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Raiders 2022 7-round NFL Mock Draft after the Russell Wilson trade

By Alexander Monfreda

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 30: Nick Cross #3 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates after a defensive stop against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 30, 2020, at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 30: Nick Cross #3 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates after a defensive stop against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 30, 2020, at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

124. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Maryland. NickCross. S. 28

When discussing how I arrived at the Travis Jones pick earlier, I mentioned a belief that general manager Dave Ziegler would call up one of his former Patriot buddies, being Stephon Gilmore or JC Jackson. The work in the secondary isn’t done yet, though.

Maryland’s Nick Cross would come into Vegas and instantly be the third safety, in addition to a Johnathan Abram replacement on passing downs where the starting safety continues to struggle.

There isn’t much you can ask of Cross and expect him not to deliver with. This is absolutely ideal for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham who takes great pride in being able to run a little bit of everything. If you searched for the definition of a little bit of everything, you’d probably find a picture of Nick Cross.

Let me start by saying Cross plays like a Raider. He’s tough, physical, and is willing to take on any task. If you’re in his line of sight he’ll make you feel it, but he’s more of a wrapper to ensure the tackle as opposed to a hitter. He’s also very willing to extend his body in an attempt to bring down the ball-carrier.

Throughout his college tenure, Cross was truly a jack of all trades. In his three years, he was responsible for 4 sacks and 5.5 tackles behind the line while being able to force 3 fumbles. The Maryland safety was also able to break up 10 passes in addition to making 5 go the other way.

This pairing is really a match made in heaven. It doesn’t just stop at the 6’1 safety being able to do anything that’s asked of him or being able to cover up what starting safety Johnathan Abram lacks. Cross can be a backup plan down the road in the event Abram shows no development in coverage.

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