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Washington Redskins Training Camp Profile 2017: S Su’a Cravens

By Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Defensive back Su'a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the start of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Defensive back Su'a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the start of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Defensive back Su’a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the start of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 31: Defensive back Su’a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins warms up before the start of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Last season, Su’a Cravens proved to be one of the better defensive rookies in the NFL. Now, he will look to improve during his second year at a new position.

One word that has always been used to describe Su’a Cravens is versatile. Coming into the NFL, defensive coordinators saw endless potential for the USC product. Having played safety in college, many expected that he would be able to thrive in the new safety/linebacker hybrid role that has been emerging across the NFL in recent years. This trend saw players like Mark Barron and Deone Bucannon, both similar in size and skill to Cravens, find success. And Cravens was expected to be the next in that role.

When the Redskins selected Cravens in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, they brought him on to join what was a weaker linebacker corps. Despite his lack of prototypical linebacker strength, the team envisioned him to be a solid coverage guy who could provide that much needed versatility to their unit.

Cravens played mostly as a backup during his rookie year, but shined when he was on the field. In 11 total games, Cravens logged 23 tackles, a sack, five pass deflections, and a key interception that sealed a victory against the New York Giants. He flashed excellent athleticism at the linebacker position, and endeared himself to the Redskins fan base.

While Cravens is going to be in a starting role for the team in 2017, it will not be at the linebacker position. Cravens will play safety, a return to one of his starting positions from college, to create a new starting tandem in the Redskins secondary. It may not be easy for Cravens to make the switch, but if there is any guy in the league who can do it, he would be the one.

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