NC #25

Nick Cross

Safety · Maryland

A blazing-fast third-round safety from Maryland, Nick Cross broke out with a career-high 146 tackles for Indianapolis in 2024.

Nick Cross turned elite combine speed into a full-time starting role at safety, developing over four seasons in Indianapolis into one of the more productive tacklers at his position before moving on in free agency.

★ Third-round pick, No. 96 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft

★ Fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the 2022 NFL Combine (4.34 seconds)

★ Career-high 146 tackles and three interceptions in 2024

★ Honorable Mention All-Big Ten three times at Maryland

Path to the league

Cross played three seasons at Maryland from 2019-2021, appearing in 29 games with 21 starts and totaling 135 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles while earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten each year. Indianapolis drafted him in the third round, 96th overall, in 2022, after he ran the fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at that year's combine at 4.34 seconds.

Career highlights

Cross developed into a full-time starter for the Colts, culminating in his best season in 2024 when he started all 17 games and posted 146 tackles with three interceptions, establishing himself as one of the league's most active tackling safeties.

2025 season recap

Cross continued as a starting safety for Indianapolis through the 2025 season, building on his breakout 2024 campaign before signing a two-year, $14 million deal with Washington in free agency.