The Washington Commanders have a new free agent safety in Nick Cross, but one national analyst is already circling him as a potential problem in 2026.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently went through every team and picked a biggest bust candidate for the ’26 season, and Cross was his choice for Washington. The concern, as Moton laid it out, is coverage. He pointed to Cross’ struggles in that area and suggested the Commanders could end up regretting the two-year, $13 million deal they handed him in free agency.
“With more playing time, Cross' lapses in coverage became apparent. Since 2024, he's given up nine touchdowns while allowing passer ratings above 99 in back-to-back terms,” Moton wrote.
He also argued that Washington was looking for a steadier presence at safety next to Will Harris, saying, “The Washington Commanders needed a reliable coverage defender at safety in center field alongside Will Harris, who's allowed passer ratings above 105 in five out of seven seasons. On a new two-year, $13 million deal, Cross won't fill that role adequately.”
Cross, though, has made it clear he believes he can do plenty more than just hold up in the back end. Back in May, via Hogs Haven, he said, “There’s nothing on the field I can’t do.
I stop the run. People sit there and ask about coverage...
I tell people that I take the ball away, too. I had four picks in the last two years, two forced fumbles, so the ball comes back to our sideline when I’m on the field,” Cross said back in May, via Hogs Haven.
He also described what Washington is getting in him, saying, “They’re getting a versatile safety, someone who can do it all, someone who can do it all and be great in the locker room, a great leader and a great teammate, someone who is going to have fun playing for the hometown team.”
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