The Denver Broncos reportedly made a pair of noteworthy secondary moves on Friday, releasing safety Su’a Cravens, according to NFL Network, while trading for New England Patriots cornerback Duke Dawson.
Cravens played one year with the Broncos after they traded for the disgruntled former Washington Redskins safety prior to last season. Washington drafted Cravens in the second round of the 2016 draft after a standout college career at USC.
Cravens’ rocky stint in Washington
Cravens played 11 games during his rookie season before threatening to retire in 2017. Washington placed Cravens on injured reserve prior to that season, even though Cravens reportedly intended to report to training camp.
Cravens never played for Washington again prior to joining the Broncos. Touted as a versatile defender who could line up at linebacker or safety, Cravens has never lived up to the promise he showed at USC.
Brief appearance with Broncos
He appeared in five games for the Broncos last season, struggling with injury and earning playing time for former coach Vance Joseph. He tallied 18 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Cravens has been a vocal critic of his former team from afar, claiming Washington mishandled his medical situations that included a knee injury and concussions.
Broncos get CB they wanted in 2018 draft
While Cravens is on his way out, Dawson is on his way in, according to multiple reports. The Broncos will receive Dawson and a seventh-round pick from New England in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to ESPN.
The Patriots drafted Dawson out of Florida in the second round of the 2018 draft. Dawson started his rookie season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and never made his way on to the field for the Patriots.
The Broncos coveted Dawson in the 2018 draft, according to ESPN, while his addition would help the team move Kareem Jackson to his preferred position of safety, which just loss depth with the release of Cravens.
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