It’s safe to say that Su'a Cravens has been a bit of a disappointment since joining the Denver Broncos.  A 2016 second-round pick of the Washington Redskins, Cravens was acquired via trade by the Broncos last spring. 

The Broncos purportedly had a first-round grade on Cravens in that draft, and had the board shaken out differently, he might have been the team’s second-round pick instead of Adam Gotsis.  Cravens' stock never lost it's luster in the eyes of GM John Elway and Denver’s front office folk, so when the Redskins made him available via trade, the Broncos pounced. 

Cravens was supposed to come in and, in essence, replace the production at strong safety/dime-backer lost when T.J. Ward was cut the year prior.  Alas, Cravens suffered a knee injury that sidelined him during camp and caused him to start the regular season on Injured Reserve with designation to return. 

And return he did after eight games.  But despite seeing action in five contests, he was never able to make an impact and finished the campaign as a healthy scratch in three-straight games. 

Questions about his maturity and passion for football persisted.  Rumors that Cravens suffered from an entitled mindset also reared up following his benching late in the year. 

With a new coaching staff in place, the bad news is, Cravens has to prove himself all over again.  But that’s also the good news. 

However, according to Vic Fangio, Cravens’ primary focus has to be simply earning a roster spot as a safety.  Questions as to his position versatility are moot until he proves he can win a job under Fangio’s scrutiny. 

“He’s got to be a safety first and foremost,” Fangio said following Wednesday’s OTA practice. “ Anything besides safety is just a couple crumbs here and there.  He’s got to win a job on this team as a safety.” 

In fairness, Fangio was responding to a question asking how Cravens’ skill-set can mesh with this team and the coach’s defensive scheme.  In a perfect world, Cravens would serve as the Broncos' starting strong safety, providing a physical, intimidating presence in the defensive backfield, while stepping up to cover tight ends and running backs.  But at this point in time, that concept is a bridge too far in Fangio’s estimation. 

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As my podcasting partner Zack Kelberman said on the latest episode of the Huddle Up Podcast (embedded below), Cravens has to finish the food on his plate before he can ask for seconds.  First thing’s first; earn a job. 

Similar to Paxton Lynch‘s focus being torn between football and Xbox, Cravens has to prove that football comes first in his life — not his burgeoning hip hop career.  If he can commit himself to the game, Cravens’ natural ability will rise to the surface and garner the attention of Fangio and DC Ed Donatell. 

There was a reason Cravens was a second-round pick.  However, between injuries and questions as to where his heart lies, his pro career has fallen well short of the mark set by his scouting report coming out of USC. 

He’s facing an uphill battle this time around in Denver.  With Justin Simmons and Will Parks being shoe-ins for the 53-man roster — both of whom have earned early praise from Fangio — and the newly-signed Kareem Jackson seeing a lot of snaps at safety, the roster spots are already drying up. 

At most, the Broncos will carry five safeties on the 53-man roster this year.  More likely, the team will keep four true safeties, with Jackson switching between safety and cornerback. 

That means Cravens will have to fend off the likes of Dymonte Thomas and Jamal Carter — both of whom have earned spots on previous Broncos’ active rosters as former undrafted rookies.  Thomas and Carter have not been able to rest on the laurels of draft pedigree as Cravens has. 

But that approach will not serve Cravens well under Fangio.  He’ll have to prove himself starting at square one or hit the bricks.  The onus is on Cravens to decide and act.