When speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Colts’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley announced that Nick Cross will be the starting safety next to Julian Blackmon.
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Although this role was up for grabs for much of training camp, this news is far from surprising, given how the preseason unfolded.
Through the first portion of training camp, no player was seemingly taking control of the opening alongside Blackmon and the Colts tried a variety of different combinations along the way. At various points in practice, Cross, Rodney Thomas, Ronnie Harrison, and even Blackmon were all aligned at the free safety role.
However, credit to Cross, because one the preseason games began, he really started to separate himself from the competition.
Cross played 72 defensive snaps across the team’s three preseason games, flying around the field making nine total tackles, with no missed attempts, according to PFF. In coverage, he allowed two receptions on three targets for a grand total of seven yards and had one pass breakup.
With Cross solidified as one of the defensive starters for the time being, the question at safety now turns to whether or not he and Blackmon will rotate between the strong and free safety roles.
Throughout the summer, even with Cross competing at free safety, he saw his share of snaps in the box playing closer to the line of scrimmage. This potential interchangeability between Cross and Blackmon adds some unpredictability to the defense with Bradley able to mix and match based on the opponent, along with opposing offenses not necessarily able to know pre-snap who will be lined up where or what the responsibilities of each safety will be.
For what it’s worth, of the two positions, Cross has performed better this summer while at free safety.
The Colts’ safeties, and the defense as a whole, will be tested right out of the gate this season, beginning the year against Houston and then Green Bay.