Although the past few years haven’t given Nick Cross enough opportunities to shine, there’s reason enough to believe that his preseason performance is a sign leading to a positive change for the safety. The thing is, if all goes well for him, he may enjoy a breakout campaign for the Indianapolis Colts this season.
Cross recently showcased his skills during a recent preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, solidifying his position in the team’s safety battle. With the Colts facing a safety dilemma, particularly after All-Pro Justin Simmons signed with the Falcons, the tight end’s performance was crucial. Throughout training camp, he had struggled to stand out among competitors like Rodney Thomas II and Ronnie Harrison Jr., but he turned things around in this game.
Cross’s standout moment came with five tackles, including one for a loss, displaying his athleticism and ability to cover the field effectively. His performance was particularly impressive given that most starters were rested, highlighting the team’s desire to assess his readiness. He primarily played at strong safety, a shift from his earlier role at free safety, demonstrating his versatility.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen noted that while Cross’s performance was encouraging, the competition for the starting safety role remains open. He expressed confidence in his ability to play both safety positions, emphasizing his commitment to making plays and seizing opportunities.
The Reason Why Indiana Colts Safety Nick Cross is Among the Breakout Candidates for 2024 NFL Season
Much like Chicago Bears’ Velus Jones Jr., Cross is projected to have a breakout campaign for the Colts this season, as explained by Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.
“One potential reason for that is Indianapolis has been playing him at free safety more often, which also made a difference in his performance during practice.
“One switch the Colts made was to keep Nick Cross at free safety and Julian Blackmon at the strong spot,” the Indy Star’s Nate Akins wrote. “They rotated the two against the Cardinals, which might have led to some of the issues with passing off zone assignments. Cross did not allow any explosive plays and showed a better ability to react to where the ball was going earlier [at free safety].”
Heading into the season, the third-year pro is listed as the starting free safety on the team’s depth chart, so there are plenty of signs pointing toward him having a breakout campaign this fall.
Cross is emerging as a frontrunner for the Indianapolis Colts’ starting free safety position. After a solid performance in the preseason opener, he showcased his versatility by playing both free and strong safety.
As the Colts prepare for the upcoming season, Cross’s recent showing could be pivotal in deciding the starting safety spot. If he continues to build on this momentum, he could become a key asset for the Colts’ defense, allowing fans to shift their focus from missed opportunities in free agency to the potential he brings to the team.
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