Denver Broncos: The impact of the Su’a Cravens acquisition
The acquisition of safety/linebacker Su’a Cravens could be the solution to the Broncos’ lack of ability to cover opposing teams’ tight ends…
Safety Su’a Cravens is headed to the Mile High City. The Washington Redskins’ safety/linebacker has been traded to the Denver Broncos.
Cravens couldn’t be more thrilled about it. He has publicly expressed his excitement about the trade upon hearing the news, and has mentioned the possibilities of becoming a Denver Bronco in the past.
Cravens played in 11 games in 2016 while, recording 23 tackles, one sack, one interception, while also registering five defensed passes. Those stats aren’t eye-opening in a great way, but he still has potential to become very good football player.
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With how excited Cravens is to become a Denver Bronco, his impact on the team could potentially be increased. If he puts his head down and gets to work, he could be a great addition to one of the league’s better defenses.
The Broncos have been rumored to be interested in drafting a linebacker to solve the problem they have had for a number of years now: covering opposing teams’ tight ends.
Denver will likely still go that direction in the draft. But with Cravens in orange and blue now, the urgency of drafting a linebacker to lock down on the position the Broncos have had the worst luck covering, becomes less of an issue.
There are questions about whether or not Cravens, 22, is in the proper mindset in regards to playing in 2018. He has previously considered retirement after just one season in the league. However, with the news that he has been traded, I think he will be more focused on helping his new team win games.
I don’t know what his mindset was like in Washington, but the trade could be the very thing Cravens needed to figure out where his heart is. He is a young player who could potentially do great things if he puts his heart and mind to it.
Along with acquiring Cravens, the Broncos received two 2018 draft picks: a 4th-round pick (113th overall) and 5th-round pick (149th overall). Denver traded four picks to Washington, three in this year’s draft (109th overall, 142nd overall, and 163rd overall), as well as a conditional 6th-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
During the 2017 season, the Broncos gave up the ninth-most receptions (79), third-most receiving yards (1,023), and fourth most touchdowns (9, tied with the Houston Texans and New York Jets) to tight ends. With Cravens on board, the team will look to lower those numbers, hopefully leading to more wins.