Probably not worth a first-round selection was Darnell Savage.
He had a fifth-year option, which the Green Bay Packers chose to exercise, most likely in error.
Although both conclusions are somewhat accurate, they don’t really matter right now.
Green Bay desperately needs Savage, but the Packers have already made those decisions.
What they now need is what Savage can bring to the table on the field.
He excelled in Sunday’s game versus the Chicago Bears.
Savage was one of the team’s five highest-graded defensive players with a respectable 72.3 PFF rating.
One of his PFF tackling grades of 87 points1, the third-highest among league safeties, was positively unexpected.
Savage has had trouble in that area throughout his time in the NFL.
Savage is the best remedy for Green Bay’s deficiencies at safety despite the fact that it is still early and Chicago’s offense struggled in Week 1.
Their safety situation would significantly improve if he could perform at the level he did in 2019, when he was named to the All-Rookie Team. Savage would give the Packers a top-tier player even if there isn’t much depth, demoting Rudy Ford to a lesser position for which he is more suitable.
No. With 10 stops, 26 led the team.
Because of how accurately he understood the offensive action, some of them were especially fascinating.
Savage, for instance, lined up in the slot in the first quarter against zone coverage. He noticed that just before the snap, running back D’Onta Foreman, who was standing next to Justin Fields on the opposite side of the formation, motioned to the left, indicating a screen pass.
Savage anticipated the play and outran tight end Robert Tonyan (an old friend) to tackle Foreman for a loss of yards right after the reception.
The Packers were in a two-high shell on the second play in the aforementioned video, which is generally not a good defense against the run.
However, as soon as Savage saw Fields throw the ball to running back Khalil Herbert, he quickly moved down the field to avoid blocks and make the tackle.
For a defensive back, it was a good performance and effective run stop.
Savage must fill this role for Green Bay’s defense, especially without Adrian Amos, who is now a New York Jet.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday, “I thought Sav played a really complete game.
“I believed he was flying around.
led us in tackles, obviously, with 10.
Simply put, I was overjoyed for him.
“.
Savage had been a weakness for Green Bay’s defense over the previous two years.
For the most part, Amos kept him safe. However, Amos didn’t perform well either in 2022, and the secondary suffered.
Savage must therefore improve his performance under Joe Barry, as he hasn’t done so thus far.
His attitude seems to have changed now.
He has excellent practice habits, said LaFleur.
He is working extremely hard.
His start has been excellent.
We expect it to continue in that direction and anticipate it.
“.
Despite the fact that both starters were on the squad the previous season, the safety room underwent renovations in the offseason.
In addition to drafting Anthony Johnson Jr., the team signed Jonathan Owens and Tarvarius Moore as free agents (although they did not make the 53-man roster). and selected Buffalo Bills’ Zayne Anderson off waivers in the seventh round.
Even though these are all modest moves, they show that the Packers were open to fostering rivalry. Savage managed it expertly.
He not only won the right to start, but he also assumed command of the team as its most seasoned player.
Before the season began, defensive coordinator Joe Barry remarked, “It’s been cool to see Darnell.”.
“It’s been interesting to see how he’s really embraced being the older man and the leader in the room, and I really like the style of play that he’s using at the moment. He was here the entire offseason, which was fantastic, and he’s had a great camp thus far.
“.
How highly the Packers regard Savage throughout the organization is evident.
The fifth-year option was exercised by general manager Brian Gutekunst, who had previously stated in January that he anticipated Savage would have his best season.
Savage was signed to a guaranteed $ 7.9 million, one-year contract by Green Bay in that move, securing him for the 2023 season.
Green Bay’s safety room still has a bleak long-term outlook.
However, it would be a huge first step for the team and have a significant effect on the entire defense if Darnell Savage can turn things around.
This theory will be put to the test by future difficulties.