Packers 2021 position review after NFL Draft: Safeties
For the past two seasons, the Green Bay Packers haven’t needed to worry about the two starting positions at safety.
Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage have both been with the team since 2019 and formed an excellent starting combination.
They will remain the starters again this season, but if there’s some concern for the Packers at safety, it’s with depth behind these two.
Currently on the roster
Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Will Redmond, Vernon Scott, Henry Black, Innis Gaines, Christian Uphoff
Offseason moves
The Packers re-signed Will Redmond, who is a backup on defense and plays some special teams snaps. But they did lose Raven Greene in free agency as he signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Improved from 2020?
At best, the Packers remain about the same at safety. Of course, we know how good the pairing of Amos and Savage are, but losing Greene hurts the depth. Bringing back Redmond made some sense but he has struggled defensively.
Greene has battled injuries but is a talented player and can make a difference when he’s healthy. According to Pro Football Reference, he played on around a third of the team’s defensive snaps last season and just over a quarter of the special teams snaps.
Key player
Darnell Savage.
It’s tough to pick between Amos and Savage as they are both so important to this defense. But entering year three, I’m going with Savage. He was unstoppable late last season and was playing at an All-Pro level. If he can replicate that for much of the 2021 season, he’ll enter the conversation for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
Savage made four interceptions in the second half of last season and can be a game-changer for this defense.
Positon outlook
There isn’t much more I can say about Amos and Savage. At their best, there aren’t many safety pairings better than them in the NFL. Amos rarely makes mistakes, is strong in coverage, and also makes some big plays.
Savage is a rising star and, as mentioned earlier, can regularly make game-changing plays for this defense.
Depth behind these two is somewhat concerning but there are still some talented veterans available in free agency including Tre Boston. Bringing back Redmond helps with the depth and it’s possible Scott improves in his second season.