The Washington Commanders added to their secondary by signing for Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross. Here are five things to know about the defensive back.
1. He grew up as a Washington fan.
Cross is more familiar with the Commanders franchise than the rest of the team's free agency class. He was born in Bowie, Maryland, attended St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville and played high school football at DeMatha Catholic -- just a 20-minute drive from Northwest Stadium.
And, of course, Cross bled burgundy and gold when he was a kid.
"I was a Redskins fan through and through," Cross said. "Sean Taylor and Clinton Portis were my two favorites. I wanted to play running back and safety because of those two."
Cross was expected to have a robust market heading into free agency, and the Commanders, who needed help in the secondary, were one of the bidders interested in his service. There were several factors that played into his decision, but he told local media members that it meant a lot to him that he could play "in my backyard."
And Cross used to be vocal about how much he cared about the team. In the days following the announcement that he would sign with Washington, fans went through his social media accounts and found his old posts about the team, both positive and critical. As Cross said, Washington fans are "ride or die," and he was "in the mud with them."
"I definitely lived and died with the Commanders."
Check out the top photos of future Washington Commander Nick Cross.
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) calls out a signal during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) brings down Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross in action during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) celebrates his interception during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) runs off the field during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Colts won 28-27. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) runs a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Westfield, Ind., Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-30. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) intercepts a pass in front of Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson, front left, carries the ball with Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) defending during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) runs to the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 36-19. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) catches a pass in the endzone against Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross in action before an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) looks to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) looks to pass as Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) and teammate linebacker E.J. Speed (45) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross comes onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross gives instructions to a teammate during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) attempts to break a tackle from Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) makes a catch during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Westfield, Ind., Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (3) makes a catch over Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) tackles Houston Texans' Woody Marks (27) during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) in action during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross, back right, after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) runs across the field during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts' Nick Cross runs a drill during a practice at the NFL football team's training facility, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Lions defeated the Colts 24-6. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
2. He learned football by watching YouTube videos.
Cross was always a natural athlete, but he didn't start playing football until his freshman year. His father, Michael, was afraid of Nick getting a concussion, but he promised his son that he could play in high school if he was still interested in the sport.
When Cross finally did join the DeMatha team, he had some serious catching up to do compared to his teammates. So, he did what most people do when they need to quickly get up to speed: watch YouTube videos. He picked some good highlights, too; he watched players like Taylor, Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and Bob Sanders to match their style.
"Just trying to learn how they did it so whenever I was able to get my opportunity to play, I would go out there and emulate them," Cross told *The Baltimore Sun.*
All the bingeing paid off for Cross. He recorded 95 tackles with four interceptions as a senior, earning him one of two First Team WCAC selections as well as a First Team Washington Post All-Metro selection. He was the top-rated player in Maryland, and despite getting offers from Alabama, Florida and Auburn, Cross chose to stay close to home and play for Maryland.
3. He learned lessons from being benched.
Cross was one of the Terps' better players during his three seasons with the program. He got 23 starts in his collegiate career, including 13 as a junior before entering the NFL draft. But he wasn't always a focal piece for Maryland's defense. He was benched in 2020 following the team's 43-3 loss to Northwestern, and it taught Cross some valuable lessons.
"The first game, I didn't think he played fast," Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said. "We saw him not necessarily pull the trigger on some things, be a little hesitant, and for that, we benched him. … He didn't start Game 2, and that was by coach's decision because we didn't think he played well and we want to create competition with every opportunity that we can."
Cross didn't disagree with the coaches' decision. He admitted to The Baltimore Sun that he could have cleaned some of his techniques and done better at sticking to his assignments. So, rather than have a negative attitude, Cross used the week to focus on improvement, and it drove him to continue improving as a player.
I just continued to work on every aspect of my game so that I could go out there and contribute in the way that I know that I can."
The time on the bench did Cross some good. He recorded 23 tackles, one sack, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in the COVID-shortened season, earning him an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection. It was a reminder for Cross that being one of the best players on the field requires him to produce on every snap.
4. He's been one of the most productive safeties since 2024.
Cross had to wait his turn to become a starter on the Colts' defense. It wasn't until Lou Anarumo took over as their defensive coordinator in 2024 that Cross was elevated to the lineup as their strong safety.
Once he got there, he cemented his status as one of the league's better young players at the position. Since 2024, Cross has recorded 266 tackles -- the second-most in that span for a safety behind Budda Baker -- to go with four interceptions.
"He's been a force," Anarumo told Colts.com. "We're counting on him to be that way and can continue to be disruptive when we blitz him ... So, we like what he's about, we like where he's heading and we're going to continue to use him in that manner."
Cross was the second-most utilized safety last season with 1,111 snaps, and the Colts put him all over the field, from free safety to in the box and the slot. He had the third-most solo tackles at his position, and he generated the second-most pressures behind Nick Emmanwori.
Cross' deal with the Commanders is a short one, but assuming he maintains that level of play in 2026, he will bring an immediate impact for their defense.
5. He put on a show at the combine.
Chalk Cross up as another player with a freaky athletic profile to join Washington's defense.
Cross' main claim to fame at the combine in the 2022 draft was his 40 time. He ran a 4.34, which was not only the fastest for a safety that year but was also the eighth-fastest overall. Only two safeties before him since 2016 were faster, and only three since then have eclipsed that number.
But Cross put up strong metrics across the board. He recorded a 37-inch vertical and a 10-foot-10 broad jump, both of which were in the top five for his position that year. And, in typical fashion for players general manager Adam Peters has signed in the last two years, he recorded a high Relative Athletic Score (RAS). His 9.87 RAS ranked 12th among all safeties from 1987-2022.
We'll have to wait until OTAs to get a better look at Cross' role in Washington's defense, but we do know for certain that Peters at least satisfied his goal of getting younger and faster on defense.
