Packers: Five breakout candidates for 2020 season

3. Darnell Savage

Darnell Savage is another example of a player Brian Gutekunst drafted who made an immediate impact. Savage put together a good rookie season, starting all 14 games he played and making five pass defenses, two interceptions, and forcing two fumbles. As a result, he was named to the 2019 PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Savage can be a big part of this defense for many years.

Of course, his rookie season wasn’t perfect. It never is for players adjusting to the NFL in their first year. Savage occasionally took bad angles and missed tackles, including during Dalvin Cook‘s 75-yard touchdown run in Week 2.

Savage will be a player to watch throughout the summer and into his second season, and he has the potential to become one of the best safeties in the league. Savage will only be 23 years old at the start of the 2020 season.

The Packers have improved on defense in recent years but they still need some more help. While adding talent to the defensive line and at inside linebacker should happen this offseason, it’s also the development of young players like Savage which will be key moving forward.

Savage impressed during his rookie season and he could have a breakout second year in 2020.