Green Bay Packers: 2019 draft class looking strong near end of year 2

Darnell Savage

Perhaps the largest improvement from rookie to second-year pro, Packers safety Darnell Savage has been a great surprise in 2020. When Green Bay selected him in the first round in 2019, this writer was a little skeptical, only because it seemed like his role was best suited as the “robber”, working the short and intermediate parts of the field, similar to free agent signee Adrian Amos.

Things are working out very well with those two on the back end of the defense. Savage still does his best work in the slot in coverage or as a robber but has looked more comfortable in a single high role in 2020.

According to PFF, in his last seven games, he’s allowed just two catches on 15 targets in coverage and has four pass breakups and four interceptions. Savage continues to trust his eyes more in 2020, and his closing speed and ball skills have been exceptional. He also flies downhill to make plays in the run game.

Savage is becoming a complete defender and a major part of why the Packers secondary has been so productive in 2020. It’s going to be fun to watch him continue to develop as a single high safety.