The Washington Redskins didn’t want to give Su'a Cravens away. So they did the smart thing: They traded a player they didn’t want and who didn’t want to be there.

This isn’t a win, however; it’s just making the best of what turned into a bad situation and preventing it from becoming worse.

The Redskins swapped picks in the fourth and fifth rounds with Denver and also received another fifth-round pick. That means the Redskins moved up seven spots in those two rounds, in addition to acquiring another selection.

The Redskins lack a third-round pick, but this could give them ammunition to move up if they want -- whether into the third or from their pick in the second round (44th). They also likely will receive several compensatory picks in 2019 based on free-agent losses (and only one signing that counts against this formula), which could help them maneuver even more with future picks involved.

They also received a conditional pick in 2020 based on whether or not Cravens plays in a playoff game for Denver. It’s similar in structure to the deal offered at the scouting combine, one source said, save for the conditional pick. It must have become clear to Washington that it wasn’t going to receive a better offer. The market wasn't strong.

It’s probably more than anyone expected for Cravens. At one point in the offseason, multiple NFL insiders felt it would be hard to get much for a player who nearly retired at the start of last season. There were multiple reasons why he nearly walked away: He was dealing with family issues, had minor knee surgery in the summer and was dealing with the after-effects of a 2017 concussion.

It soon became evident the sides were headed for a mutual divorce. Cravens upset some teammates by sending a group text message on the day of final cuts telling them his plans. From that point on, the Redskins didn't trust that he wouldn't do it again. They couldn't locate him for a day late during his rookie season; there was a time he walked away at USC as well. The Redskins didn't feel they could trust him, so they moved on. Simple as that. Perhaps Denver is a far better fit, a place he likes more than Washington.

Shortly after the Redskins placed him on the reserve/left squad list in September, ending his season, Cravens gave away approximately 100 Redskins jerseys with his No. 36. There were an estimated 1,000 people in line.

There were definitely some in the locker room who felt it would be hard for Cravens to return; some had softened their stance on that within a few months of the season ending. But a source close to Cravens said last month he knew it would be tough to be fully accepted in Washington.

The Redskins, of course, could have forced Cravens to stick around by not trading him and bringing him to camp. He’s a young, talented player on a cheap contract. If the Redskins did that, and he decided not to report, they could have gone after his signing-bonus money.

It’s an odd turn of events for a player who, a year ago at this time, figured prominently in the Redskins’ plans. He was a fan favorite, an energetic player who could help for a while. Now? He becomes a failed second-round pick for them, one they managed to get something for -- but it’s still not the ending they would have preferred. Not even close.

The team could afford to move on from Cravens thanks in part to its belief in second-year safety Montae Nicholson.

“He has a chance to be as good a safety as there is in football,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden told reporters at the NFL meetings in Orlando.

That’s quite a bold statement, but Nicholson does have good size and speed and played well in the six games he was healthy last season. He could become a good player for a long time. Could.

With Cravens, there are questions about his passion for the game. That’s why some say there wasn’t a bidding war for a talented, young player with three years remaining on a rookie contract. Cravens will compete for a starting job in Denver; maybe he’ll play some nickel/dime linebacker as well (he wasn’t thrilled with doing it in Washington).

Cravens still has something to prove. He gets his fresh start, and the Redskins get an extra pick. Maybe two. But this isn’t a move to celebrate, just a necessary one.