Green Bay Packers NFL Draft Prospects to Know: S Nick Cross

When we think of positional needs for the Green Bay Packers, safety may not be one of the first few that come to mind, but it should.

My hope and expectation is that Adrian Amos is signed to an extension, but at the moment, he is in the final year of his deal. But even if Amos does receive that extension, Darnell Savage is coming off a down year, and 2022 could be his final with the Green Bay Packers–not to mention that Henry Black took his lumps last season, especially in coverage, and behind those three on the depth chart is a lot of inexperience.

The safety plays a challenging and important role in Joe Barry’s defense. With frequent lightboxes, it’s vital that they assist in the run game, but safeties also have to provide help over the top in coverage.

Although we didn’t see nearly as many dime looks under Barry as we did Mike Pettine, three safeties were on the field a similar amount of snaps. In short, the third safety on this roster plays an important role and is very much an upgradeable position.

With this need in mind, Nick Cross out of Maryland is an early-round pick at the safety position that Green Bay Packers fans should keep their eyes on.

Cross has good size, listed at 6’1″ and weighing 210 pounds–he is also someone who should test very well athletically at the NFL combine. Cross is a true junior and has three years of playing experience at Maryland totaling 1,540 snaps, according to PFF ($$).

He primarily lined up at free safety but has several hundred snaps playing both in the box as well as from the slot–showcasing his versatility and ability to play in a variety of schemes. Cross flies around the football field and was also able to leave his mark on the run game as well.

In coverage, Cross would allow a completion rate of 65.4% on 52 career targets and 13.8 yards per catch. He also recorded nine pass breakups, six interceptions, and according to PFF, a passer rating of 94.2 when targeted.

The biggest critique you may hear when it comes to Cross’ game is that he needs to play with more consistency, specifically as a tackler but overall as well. And as Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network mentions, Cross is someone who could benefit from being brought along slowly, calling him a “developmental starting safety,” but the potential he possesses is undeniable.

"“I do think he’s a highly scheme-diverse type of player who can showcase himself in the high post or in split-safety shells where he can drop down and get involved in the run or alternatively pattern match routes in Cover 7 and bracket routes,” said Crabbs. “Maryland used him at times as a WILL linebacker in sub and other times let him drop down into the slot—near the goal line, you often saw him stacked overtop of tight ends and asked him to use his size to match in coverage.”"

At the moment, Cross is The Draft Network’s sixth-highest rated safety in what is a very deep draft class at the position.

For many of the reasons already mentioned, Cross feels like a Green Bay Packers selection. He has good size, and he should test well. He’s versatile and can be plugged into a number of situations, and we also know that the Packers aren’t afraid to draft someone with a high ceiling who may need a little extra time to develop.