For the Indianapolis Colts, the 2024 season has contained a bit of chaos. Fluctuation under center has tempered expectations and the lack of talent on defense has remained evident. Yet, one player has continued to pop over the last few weeks.
A third-rounder back in 2022, Nick Cross may be a name you aren’t too familiar with. There aren’t any Pro Bowl selections, Defensive Player of the Week nods, or All-Pro honors littered on his resume. Yet, his ability to consistently impact the game from the safety spot has remained evident on tape.
Colts S Nick Cross has continued to pop on tape as one of their most consistent & premier defenders, and really, one of the more underrated secondary defenders in the game.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) October 14, 2024
A few plays that stood out against Tennessee.🗣️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/zmjQCGKt92
It hasn’t all been perfect for Cross. There are some blips on his resume with missed tackles and blown coverages at certain moments, but the pros have drastically outweighed the cons in what is now his third campaign roaming the secondary for Indianapolis. What has stood out has been his involvement all over the football field. It’s not flashy play after flashy play, where PBUs and interceptions are all over his stat sheet. Rather, it’s his ability to impact the run game or beat an offensive lineman to the spot in the screen game.
In today’s game where hybrid defenders remain must-haves for defensive coordinators, Cross remains one of the more underrated safeties in the game. And considering the lack of talent strictly at the corner position for the Colts, the presence of Cross’ range to flip and run offers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley a versatile piece to, at times, alleviate the pressure on the athletes outside.
While he won’t be included in any lists with the Kyle Hamilton’s, Derwin James’, or Budda Baker’s of the world, Cross’ physical yet intelligent approach also set him apart from many of his peers at the position. He isn't afraid to take risks, which can occasionally lead to chunk plays, but can also result in taking the ball away, thus increasing the turnover margin.
With excellent size and speed, Cross’ physical tools—4.3 in the 40—allow him to match run hip-to-hip with the NFL’s most fleet of foot while possessing the ability to eliminate tight ends from the progression. He’s lined up as the single-high deep safety, played in the box, and has even bumped inside over the slot. It’s a type of flexibility that has made him invaluable for the Colts, where multidimensional players who can adjust to different schemes and offensive looks make life tough on opposing offenses.
As the Colts' defense evolves as the season progresses, expect Cross to remain a cornerstone piece in the secondary. The 2024 season remains a bit of a mystery as to just how successful the Colts will be this fall, but if you’re looking for young, impactful defenders who deserve more attention, look no further than the versatile Cross.
