Nick Cross

Career StatsC-

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)

The Commanders secured a reasonable deal with Nick Cross at $6.5M AAV over two years, landing squarely in fair value territory with a C+ CVI grade. Cross profiles as a rotational safety who brings solid depth and special teams value, making this contract appropriately priced for a player in that tier rather than a weekly starter. At 24 years old, the former third-round pick still has developmental upside, and Washington is betting on his athletic traits translating into more consistent defensive impact over the next two seasons. The structure works well for both sides — $6.0M guaranteed provides Cross with security while giving the Commanders flexibility to move on after year one if needed. This represents smart roster building by Washington, addressing safety depth without breaking the bank on a player who hasn't yet proven he can handle a full-time role, though the modest investment leaves room for Cross to outperform his deal if he takes the expected next step.

Performance Analysis

Nick Cross enters his fourth NFL season as a high-energy box safety for Washington, a former third-round pick still searching for consistency as a coverage defender. Grading out at a C- overall, Cross sits below the safety tier where teams expect impact plays from premium draft investments. His trajectory shows meaningful growth — improving from an F in 2023 to a B- in 2024 — though a slight regression to a C in 2025 keeps him firmly in developmental territory. He profiles more as a reliable run-stopper than a difference-maker in coverage. Cross's tackling is genuinely elite, posting 7.06 tackles per game against an NFL average of 3.85 and an elite threshold of 6.81 — that production is legitimate and consistent. However, his ball-hawking remains a serious concern: his 0.06 interceptions per game falls well short of the NFL average of 0.16, and his 0.29 passes defensed per game barely trails the league average of 0.30. For a safety to command real defensive value, that turnover production must improve significantly. Cross has the physical tools and tackling instincts to hold a roster spot long-term, but his ceiling depends entirely on developing as a coverage player. Watch whether Washington deploys him in more single-high looks to better leverage his downhill athleticism. If the interception rate climbs toward league average by mid-season, a B-range grade becomes a realistic outcome.

Current Sentiment

Nick Cross enters the 2026 season with renewed momentum after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders in free agency, a move that generated a modest but notably positive wave of media coverage. His appearance on 'Good Morning Football' to discuss the signing signals that the Commanders' organization is actively promoting him as a meaningful addition rather than a depth afterthought. Analysts have framed the signing through a breakout lens, suggesting Washington's defensive scheme could unlock untapped potential that was not fully realized during his time in Indianapolis. With five career interceptions and twelve passes defended across four seasons, Cross carries the profile of a high-upside developmental starter whose best football may still be ahead of him. Fan and media perception is cautiously optimistic — he is not yet viewed as an established star, but the narrative surrounding his Commanders tenure is constructive enough to generate genuine intrigue heading into training camp.