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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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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 2: Running back George Atkinson #25 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by defensive back Su’a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on October 2, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 2: Running back George Atkinson #25 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by defensive back Su’a Cravens #36 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on October 2, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Su’a Cravens’ skill set

While versatile is the key word used to describe Cravens in most evaluations, his physicality cannot be ignored. With a 6-foot-1, 226 pound frame, Cravens was small for a linebacker. That is part of what prompted him to move away from the position. But for a safety, that type of frame is well above average, and that should allow him to be one of the strongest players at his position.

If Cravens can keep the weight on when he transitions, he will be able to turn into a big hitter. This will add a much-needed physical element to pair with Josh Norman. There were no big hitters among the safeties last year, with the exception of the over-the-hill Donte Whitner, so that could end up being a new, unique part of the Redskins defense.

At the same time, Cravens has to make sure that he can still play with solid enough speed at safety. While Cravens was fast for a linebacker, defensive backs are held to a different standard. One of the concerns with Cravens coming out of school was that he was a “tweener,” that is, someone who is between two different positions. That stemmed from concerns about his size/speed combination, as he was big enough to be a safety, but not necessarily fast enough. The opposite can be said of his skills as a linebacker.

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What Cravens needs to focus on during training camp and the preseason is upping his speed just a bit. He already has terrific instincts, as can be seen when he makes a break on a ball-carrier, but if he is to hold up in coverage, he cannot get torched by faster receivers. Sure, he can used his physicality to bump some guys at the line of scrimmage, if he is playing near it, but that will only go so far. Speed is a necessity in the NFL and Cravens has to prove that he has it if he is to succeed.

Still, that is merely a minor concern. Worst case scenario, Cravens should be a very good run stopper at safety and can be mixed into a rotation if he falls short in coverage.

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