Packers quick reaction NFL Draft grades 2019: Darnell Savage Jr.
The Green Bay Packers addressed one of their biggest needs by selecting Darnell Savage Jr. in the first round.
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is focused on fixing the defense, and he continues to add to this side of the ball in the first round of the draft.
After selecting Rashan Gary earlier on Day 1, the Packers turned to safety by picking Darnell Savage Jr. from Maryland.
Here’s our grade for the pick:
A starter from Day 1
The Packers made one of the free agency moves of the offseason by signing Adrian Amos in March, and now they’ve found a starting safety to play next to the former Chicago Bear. Expect Savage to start right away in Mike Pettine’s defense.
One thing the Packers defense needs is more turnovers, and Savage can help provide just that — he has eight interceptions over the past three seasons, including four in 2018.
Gutekunst continues to add speed to the defense. Savage ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the combine, putting up an impressive 4.36.
Savage could be the final piece Green Bay needed in the secondary. With Savage and Amos, safety should no longer be a need, and can be one of the team’s strengths on defense.
Trade up worth it
The Packers did give up two fourth-rounders to move up nine positions. But that’s not a bad deal for Green Bay at all as the team still has plenty of picks to work with over the next two days. It’s similar to the move they made with Seattle in the first round a year ago.
Gutekunst clearly didn’t want to take the risk of missing out on Savage, and he must’ve had enough reason to believe Savage wouldn’t make it to No. 30. He moved up to get the player he wanted, and that worked pretty well a year ago when the Packers selected Jaire Alexander after making a trade with the Seahawks.