Packers: Top 3 underrated players so far this season

Darnell Savage

Darnell Savage is not only one the most underrated players on the Packers, but in the league overall. The leap his instincts and confidence have taken this year compared to last is amazing.

The athleticism — which made him such an attractive proposition for the Packers back in the 2019 Draft — is visible every single week. Savage regularly displays freakish closing speed whether it be in pursuit of a scrambling quarterback or crashing down to disrupt a slant route over the middle.

The inner beast I like to call “Maryland Darnell” can strike opposing offenses at any time with that same impact-play ability he put on tape in college with the Terps.

While players like De’Vondre Campbell, Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark are attributed tons of credit for the defensive improvements of the Packers this season, the development of Savage is a big reason why the Packers are third in the NFL in points allowed.

Savage’s tackling still isn’t perfect, but it’s greatly improved from 2020 when he was arguably the worst tackler on the whole defense. Darnell has also gotten much faster at identifying and reacting to the run, something he admittedly struggled with in his first two seasons.

Overall, he and Amos — or “Smash & Savage” — form one of the very best safety tandems in the league, and if you’re wondering why you’ve rarely seen a play of 30+ yards against the Packers defense this season, those two are the main reason why.