Tag: Nick Cross

6 Colts who exceeded expectations in 2023

These Colts exceeded expectations in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts were one win away from competing in the playoffs but instead find themselves sitting at home with the majority of the league preparing for the 2024 offseason.

Even though it was a decent surprise the Colts were in a position to compete for a playoff spot considering the amount of injuries along with the addition of a rookie head coach working with a backup quarterback, there were plenty of bright spots who helped get Indy to that position.

Here are six Colts who exceeded expectations during the 2023 season:

Colts’ top needs entering 2024 offseason

Taking a look at the top needs for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason.

With the 2023 season officially over for the Indianapolis Colts, they are officially in offseason mode.

As 2024 begins, Indianapolis will look to add to its roster and strengthen some perceived weaknesses through free agency, trades and the NFL draft.

With that being said, here are some of the top needs for Indianapolis moving forward:

Colts’ unofficial depth chart for Week 18

Here’s the Colts’ unofficial depth chart for Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) released their unofficial depth chart ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans (9-7)

The term “unofficial” should be taken to heart here as the pecking order could change on a whim. Still, we’re here to take a look at the depth chart going into the win-and-in matchup against the Texans.

Here’s a look at the unofficial Week 18 depth chart for the Colts:

Stock up, stock down as Colts enter Week 18

Stock report for the Colts’ going into Week 18.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) came away with a 23-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) in Week 17, giving themselves a chance to make the playoffs if they’re victorious during the regular-season finale.

Though the Colts held the lead from the opening drive of the game, there were a few moments in which the Raiders appeared to be mounting a comeback. However, Indy was able to hold onto the lead despite not scoring a touchdown in the second half.

Now, it’s time to take a look at whose stock was impacted from the team’s largest loss of the season.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.

A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.

Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 17 win:

Studs and duds from Colts’ 30-13 win vs. Steelers

Taking a look at the studs and duds from the Colts’ 30-13 win over the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) continued their playoff push with a 30-13 win at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) on Saturday.

It wasn’t pretty in the first half, especially as the Colts were down 13-0 early on after a missed field goal, a touchdown drive allowed and then a blocked punt that led to another Pittsburgh touchdown.

But the Colts were able to prevail thanks to some big plays by the passing offense after Gardner Minshew gave Indianapolis their first lead as they took a 14-13 halftime lead.

From there, the Colts outscored Pittsburgh 16-0 in the second half as they cruised to a convincing 30-13 victory.

Here’s a look at the studs and duds from the Week 15 win:

WATCH: Colts’ Nick Cross mosses George Pickens for INT

Nick Cross mossed George Pickens for his first career INT!

Indianapolis Colts second-year safety Nick Cross has been seeing increased playing time on defense over the last few weeks, and he showed why with a spectacular interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

With George Pickens running a corner-post, Cross did a great job staying with it in coverage as the single-high safety. Mitch Trubisky thought Pickens could win the 1v1 deep down the field, but Cross put his elite athleticism on display.

The Maryland product climbed the ladder, mossing Pickens on the way to his first career interception.

Stock report from Colts’ 31-28 win over Titans

Taking a look at the stock report from the Colts’ win in Week 13.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) pulled off a 31-28 overtime win on the road against the Tennessee Titans (4-8) at Nissan Stadium.

Sweeping the Titans and winning in Nashville for the first time since 2018, the Colts are now riding a four-game winning streak with five games remaining in their playoff push.

Now, it’s time to take a look at how this game impacted the stock of a handful of players.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.

A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.

Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 13 win:

Colts’ snap count analysis from Week 13 win over Titans

Analyzing the Colts’ snap counts from Sunday’s win over the Titans.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) are riding a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2018 following a wild 31-28 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans (4-8) on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

Coming back from a 17-7 deficit at halftime, the Colts fought their way to force overtime on the road. It wasn’t always pretty, and there certainly were moments when it appeared the winning streak was going to come to an end.

However, Shane Steichen’s squad continues to show fight, a testament to the culture that is being built quickly under the first-year head coach.

Here’s a look at the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams from the Week 13 win, followed by our analysis below:

How will the Colts replace Shaquille Leonard?

Taking a look at how the Colts will replace Shaquille Leonard.

The Indianapolis Colts made this an eventful Tuesday by parting ways with former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

As both sides disagreed about what type of role he should have within Gus Bradley’s defense, it ultimately came to a point where the Colts made a business decision to waive Leonard and the three remaining years on his contract.

With the move official, the Colts now have to replace Leonard, who played 70% of the defensive snaps during his nine games (all starts) this season. How might they plan on doing that?

Fortunately, the answer isn’t difficult at all.

With Leonard now gone, the Colts likely will lean on fifth-year linebacker E.J. Speed, who was splitting time with Leonard at the WILL position, mostly coming in on third downs.

Speed had a fantastic 2022 campaign that led to him signing a two-year contract extension before free agency arrived during the offseason. He set career-high marks in tackles (63), solo tackles (37), tackles for loss (seven), passes defended (two) and forced fumbles (two).

He’s been far better in coverage than Leonard has this season, and he’s a better fit for Bradley’s defense. Where Leonard thrives as a free defender working off his instincts, he struggled to play in a more structured role.

Bradley’s scheme had him working in the latter role mostly on early downs. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Bradley leaned a bit more on second-year safety Nick Cross, opting to use more three-safety sets.

But for the most part, it will be Speed’s role for the remainder of the season. He’s shown promise throughout his career, and he’s produced when called upon in a bigger role.

Now, he’ll have the chance to cement himself for good next to Zaire Franklin as Indy’s new linebacker tandem in the middle of the defense.

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Nick Cross proving to be versatile piece of Colts defense

The second-year safety has been a true standout this preseason.

Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross enters his second season in the league after what was a pretty disappointing rookie campaign.

Cross lost the starting strong safety job within the first month of the season and saw only special teams work for the remainder of his rookie year. It was disappointing considering what he’d shown during the preseason.

Entering his second season, though, there’s a much different tune surrounding his game. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley had plenty of praise for the progress Cross has made in 2023.

“Done very well. I’ll tell you what Nick (Cross) has done, he has proven to us that he has consistently played well at the strong safety spot,” Bradley told reporters Sunday. “But what his value to us is he can play free, he can play strong and in a pinch, he can play nickel.”

A third-round pick out of Maryland in 2022, the Colts made it a point to get Cross onto the roster during the draft. They traded back into the third round before the day was over in order to select him, and the pick they gave away wound up being the No. 67 overall selection (Drew Sanders) in 2023.

Cross entered the league at an extremely young age, turning 21 years old during the first week of the regular season. The talent he put on tape matched up with some elite athleticism, but when it came to the processing side of the ball, the rookie struggled to keep up.

But Cross was in the lab all offseason, working to ensure he understood the nuances of Bradley’s defense. That progress has shown up with certainty in Year 2, removing the doubts and hesitation from his game.

“As far as a role, he’s one play away from all those three positions where he has an opportunity to play or at least be in those discussions to play,” Bradley said. “I think last year, he wasn’t in that discussion. If we had an injury, maybe had a spot it was like, ‘Well, I don’t know if he’s quite ready.’ I think he’s really kind of erased that part of doubt for us.”

The secondary will be extremely young for the Colts. While the safety room has Julian Blackmon going into his fourth season, both Cross and Rodney Thomas II are going into Year 2.

It’s a young group brimming with potential.

With Cross improving his processing skills to match his elite athleticism, another layer of hope is added to Bradley’s defense.