Scouting report
DarnellSavage, Packers strong safety
Information for this reportwas obtained from NFL scouts.
DarnellSavage, 5-foot-11and 192pounds, was a first-rounddraft pick in 2019 fromMaryland. He’s thirdon the teamwith65tackles, leads the defensewith four interceptionsand is tied with cornerback JaireAlexander for themost pass breakupswith 12.
Savage has been particularly productive in his last fivegameswith four interceptions— including two intheNov. 29victory over the Bears— seven pass breakups, two tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits and a sack. “He started off really hot last season and then sort of fadedwhen he had an (ankle) injury,” the scout said. “That’swhat you see with rookies. Whenthey’re not on the field or not practicing full-time, they can’tdevelop at the rate they are expected to. He didn’t start off fast this year— no one really did in that secondary— but theway he’s playing over the second half of this season, he looks like a guy that is a first-round pick. He’s playingwith a high sense of urgency and gets downhill to the football in the run game and can cut off the ball froma quarters or a split-safety alignment. The best thing about him nowis he’s making plays on the ball. He’s getting his hands on the football and he’s challenging routes. They’re using him in coverage. Whenthey send pressure, theywill rotate him down and match up against a receiver. He had a pick lastweek against the Titanswhen hewas matched up onA.J. Brown. Heundercut a crossing route and madea play on the ball.
“He’s got really good lower-body flexibility, he flips his hipswith ease to change directions and he’s got really good range and ball skills. It took some timewith the injury last year and the slowstart this year. It helps when you have a defensivefront that is getting hometo the quarterback, which the Packers are doing now. I think having the elevated play of (defensive lineman) Rashan Gary has helped this defense aswell. But in terms ofwhat he brings as a split-field safety, this is a really good scheme for him. He has thosemovement traits, the urgency he playswith and he’s making plays on the ball consistently. Over the second half of the season, he’s the best safety in theNFC North. He’s been better than Harrison Smith and Eddie Jackson, and there’s no one in Detroit.”