Denver Broncos: Top 5 instant impact moves this offseason

Su’a Cravens

The Denver Broncos had a first-round grade on USC Trojans linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens in the 2016 NFL Draft, but they also had a need at the quarterback position.

Instead of ending up with Cravens, the Broncos ended up with Paxton Lynch and Adam Gotsis in the first two rounds of the 2016 draft after they won Super Bowl 50, and Cravens was sandwiched between those two picks.

After a solid rookie season with the Redskins, Cravens walked away from the game for a year.

He was reinstated this offseason, and the Redskins immediately began to shop him and the Broncos wasted no time letting it be known that they were interested.

After what seemed like forever, a trade finally consummated and the Broncos acquired Cravens, who is now one of the most interesting defensive weapons on the team.

Cravens can play in the box the majority of the time, utilizing his rare abilities and instincts in run defense and as a blitzer, or he can match up one-on-one with backs and tight ends in the passing game.

He can play deep safety when needed, but his presence will allow the Broncos to properly use both Justin Simmons and Darian Stewart on the back end of their defense.

Cravens is a playmaker, and brings a swagger to the Denver defense that will be desperately needed with the loss of Aqib Talib.