The leading candidate to play strong safety for the Colts might surprise you

PHOENIX — The Colts have a hole to fill in the secondary. There are more critical needs at defensive end and linebacker , but that doesn’t mean the strong safety position should be overlooked. Indianapolis allowed Nick Cross to leave for Washington in free agency, leaving one spot uncertain in a secondary that is deep at cornerback and full of big-name players at every starting spot other than the one Cross vacated.

Barring an addition in the draft, it sounds like the Colts are content to hold an open competition. “Those guys are all going to compete on the back end,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “We’ll see where it goes.

” Cross ended up being affordable. A third-round pick who developed into a physical starter in Indianapolis, Cross signed a two-year deal with the Commanders that is worth a little more than $6 million in guaranteed money and $13 million overall. But the Colts decided the cost was too high to keep Cross.

“Nick Cross, I’m really proud of his development, and I still think there’s more in there, because he’s so young,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. “Happy for him that he’s able to move on and get a good contract. We can only sign so many.