Nick Cross

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		67	5	12	322
2025		17	1	5	120
2024		17	3	5	146
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Spotrac flags Nick Cross's contract as a market-rate deal; FanVerdicts grades it C Contract Value Index because the production-to-pay ratio shakes out accordingly. At $6.5M AAV over two years, Cross is being paid in line with what a solid-starting safety or high-end depth piece commands in the current market—reasonable money for a fourth-year player entering his prime window, but not a bargain. His 2025 season output (120 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception across 17 games) aligns cleanly with the above-average depth role the Commanders are positioning him for; he is a productive contributor by accumulation and versatility, not an elite impact player, so the salary reflects that tier accurately. At age 24 on a two-year rookie-scale deal, Cross carries minimal downside risk—the Commanders control him through his prime seasons with affordable cap consequences if production dips—but the upside is likewise capped by his career resume: four seasons without Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors and modest career interception totals leave little room for the deal to become a steal. Washington's recent secondary additions and the beat-writer narrative positioning Cross as a meaningful scheme fit rather than depth padding suggest genuine organizational confidence in his 2026 role, which justifies fair-market pricing rather than a discount. The value here is neither overpay nor bargain—it is a mature, rational contract for a solid starter-caliber safety, exactly where a C Contract Value Index verdict lands.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Nick's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Nick Cross is a four-year safety veteran with 67 career games for the Washington Commanders, functioning as a core defensive contributor in their secondary. The 24-year-old has established himself as a reliable run-defender and two-deep presence, though his overall grade of B- reflects inconsistency in coverage and ball skills. Cross represents a competent mid-tier safety prospect whose recent production trajectory warrants close monitoring. Cross excels in run support, posting 7.06 tackles per game—well above the NFL average of 3.41 and approaching elite thresholds of 7.78—demonstrating strong instincts and pursuit angles. His pass defense metrics, however, present concern: he's generating just 0.06 interceptions per game against an NFL average of 0.12, suggesting limited ballhawking ability and coverage consistency. Pass deflections remain pedestrian at 0.29 per game, matching the league average but lagging far behind elite safeties who average 0.68. The season-to-season trend reveals a troubling downward arc. Cross graded out at C-plus in 2024 before slipping to a C in 2025, marking a notable regression in overall effectiveness. His body of work through four seasons establishes he's a capable defensive piece, yet the recent decline raises questions about whether he can stabilize or recapture earlier form. Watch for whether Washington invests further in secondary upgrades or commits long-term to Cross as their safety anchor going forward.

How Nick Compares at the Position

Nick Cross ranks 43rd of 196 graded safeties by performance. That slots Nick between Joshua Metellus (B) just ahead and Grant Delpit (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Nick Cross enters 2026 as a depth safety and rotational contributor for the Washington Commanders following his free-agent signing, a move that generated modest positive coverage focused on scheme fit rather than star-level acclaim. Media narratives center on his potential role in the Commanders' new three-safety defensive looks under coordinator Mark Bullock, positioning him as a complementary piece rather than a cornerstone player. His career profile—five interceptions and 12 passes defended over four seasons—reflects solid backup-to-starter versatility without Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, keeping him firmly in the role-player tier. The recent headlines emphasize organizational optimism and tactical deployment rather than individual breakout potential, suggesting fan and media expectations are calibrated to a supporting defensive role. Overall perception remains cautiously optimistic but grounded; Cross is viewed as a capable depth contributor whose 2026 value depends on execution within the new scheme rather than independent star trajectory.