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Colts rookie Nick Cross excites in first practice with impressive interception

By Jaleel Grandberry

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 26: Nick Cross #3 of the Maryland Terrapins lines up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCFBank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 26: Nick Cross #3 of the Maryland Terrapins lines up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCFBank Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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The Indianapolis Colts have officially begun training camp and the rookies are already making some noise, led by safety Nick Cross.

On day two of the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts made three-straight offensive selections. They drafted Alec Pierce, Jelani Woods, and Bernhard Raimann in that order. All three players were high on Indy’s draft board so everyone saw this as a successful night. The Colts could’ve been done for the day and everyone would’ve been satisfied.

However, Indianapolis wasn’t done. The team used a 2023 third-round pick to trade back into the 2022 Draft third round, and with their new pick, the Colts selected safety Nick Cross. Turns out, that was a very necessary move for Indy because Khari Willis, the starting strong safety for the last three years, would retire shortly after.

Willis’ sudden retirement forces Cross into the spotlight as a rookie because he’s now the likely starting strong safety. However, Cross quickly showed in his first practice that that’s not a problem. During the 7-on-7 period of Indy’s first training camp practice, Nick Cross jumped a route on the second play and tipped the ball to himself to make a diving interception.

Nick Cross is ready to step up for Colts

It’ll be great for Indianapolis if this becomes the norm for Nick Cross. Indy needs someone to step up at safety and Cross was selected to be the future of that position. If he can come in as a rookie and is already an explosive playmaker, Indy’s defense will have serious potential.

The team already has the promising Julian Blackmon, who’s back from an Achilles injury, and he flies around and makes impressive plays himself. With Cross next to him, the Colts could have a quality safety duo for years to come.

However, it is still early and there’s so much more to unfold. Nick Cross will have to continue to prove himself and keep making plays like this, but he’s off to a great start.

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