Big prediction for the offseason: The Colts will give a big extension to 25-year-old safety Nick Cross. He did well in my coverage DVOA metric and was involved in 14.0% of Colts defensive plays, fourth among safeties in 2025. His average run tackle came after a gain of just 4.3 yards (ranked third among safeties with at least 20 run tackles). — Schatz
Despite having just completed his 4th season, the former 2022 3rd round pick of the Colts is still only 24-years-old, and when going right, offers a tantalizing combination of speed, athleticism, range, and hard hitting ability.
Since becoming a full-time starter on the backend of their secondary in 2024, he’s started 34 straight games for the Colts defensively. He’s fresh off a 2025 season for Indianapolis in which he recorded 120 tackles (72 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 5 passes defensed, an interception, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Per PFF, Cross earned a +59.8 overall grade, which ranked 68th of 98 qualifying safeties. However, he earned a +72.0 run defense grade, as he excelled in run support.
While starting quarterback Daniel Jones and wideout Alec Pierce project to be their top free agent priorities, Cross still seems to be a young player that the Colts would presumably like to potentially bring back behind them.
However, given his youth, and as one of the top free agent safeties in this year’s class, it’s possible he could garner a larger multi-year deal elsewhere. In that case, Indianapolis could shift its focus to upgrading at edge rusher instead and hope that veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo can recreate some magic at safety next to Cam Bynum next season, with 2025 7th round pick Hunter Wohler a potential internal replacement candidate.
Currently, Spotrac projects Nick Cross to earn a 4-year, $24.3 million contract, but honestly, given that his best football appears to be still ahead of him and the somewhat recent breakout, it seems likely that his next contract number should be higher than that in the early frenzy that has become modern NFL free agency.
The Colts presumably would like to retain him, but it’s very possible that his next contract number may go beyond what they’re willing to realistically pay, with other more pressing roster priorities to focus on elsewhere.
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