The Indianapolis Colts came into the offseason with a few needs to address throughout the roster. The biggest one of those needs was the quarterback position where Carson Wentz failed to step up when the team needed him most last season.
Wentz is going to be replaced by veteran Matt Ryan, who was acquired in a trade from the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick. It was a no-brainer move for the Colts as Ryan is an upgrade on Wentz and they had multiple third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With Ryan now in the fold, the Colts can focus the rest of their attention on upgrading the offensive line. A few key players from last season’s offensive line unit, Eric Fisher and Mark Glowinski, aren’t going to be back in 2022.
Some veterans could help fill the void in the trenches. Also on the offensive side of the ball, the Colts need some wide receiver help. Michael Pittman Jr. broke out last season but there isn’t much to rely on behind him. The team likes Parris Campbell but his injury concerns are a major red flag, making him difficult to rely on.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts could look to add some depth to their secondary. One sleeper that they would benefit from targeting in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft would fill that void in Maryland safety Nick Cross.
Cross has some limitations in coverage, as he lacks some fluidity when it comes to movements in the backend. While he may never be a true centerfield playing safety, he is capable of matching up with tight ends and in coverage that allows him to get downhill.
Playing downhill is when Cross can get to his strengths. He is a freak athlete, running a 4.34 40-yard dash despite weighing 212 pounds. Cross flies around the field with excellent range, covering ground in a flash. An explosive athlete that plays with aggression, Cross is someone you will remember being hit by.
Despite some of the questions about his coverage skills, Cross is a playmaker. He had four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 10 passes defended and three forced fumbles in 27 games with the Terrapins.
Cross has a chance to develop into a starter down the line and is a worthwhile prospect to select in the third round. He can already help in the run game and if he improves in coverage, his ceiling becomes that much higher.
