Packers Select Darnell Savage, Safety in 2019 NFL Draft - Round 1
By TimBackes
MEASURABLES/COMBINE:
4.36 40 / 11 bench press reps / 39.5 vert / 126 broad jump / 7.03 cone drill / 4.14 shuttle
CAREER NOTES:
Savage led Delaware's Caravel Academy to a state title his senior year as a two-way player (1,298 rushing yards, 54 tackles). Maryland coaches got him on the field right away as a freshman, playing him in 10 games (12 tackles) and starting him in the season finale. Savage started 12 games the following year (59 tackles, 3.5 for loss, one interception, four pass breakups) and in 2017, as well. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a junior (59 tackles), leading the Terrapins with eight pass breakups and tying for the team lead with three interceptions (returning one of those picks for a score). Savage was a playmaker again as a senior, earning second-team all-conference notice with four interceptions, two pass breakups, and 52 tackles (5.5 for loss).
SCOUTING REPORT:
NFL.COM: Savage will offer an interesting litmus test for how teams value instincts, IQ and coverage quickness against size. He sports a compact frame with a muscular build and was actually bigger at the combine than some scouts expected. his sticky cover skills and ability to close on throws from all areas of the field are valuable commodities that should not be undervalued. Savage should be targeted as a Day 2 hybrid defender offering early starting potential as a two-high zone or slot cover talent.
THEDRAFTNETWORK.COM: Ample range but some lapses on the back end when tasked with playing single high. Can be a bit too eager to jump down into the first route to develop and cross his face. Short area quickness allows for impressive click and close when leveraged over top of targets.
Plenty of burst when driving into the play. Can make up ground as a zone defender and arrive in timely fashion. Long speed is adequate and will serve him well as he develops if team looks to implement as a true free safety.
Will lay the wood on runs and shallow passes that he's able to build steam into. Comfortable adjusting his angles on the fly and greeting the ball with pads and hips aligned. Will occasionally throw a lazy shoulder trying to go for big hits.
Instincts flash best in robber coverage and in the hook/curl areas. Guilty of tunnel vision in spurts, trusting landmarks is paramount in future implementation as a deep defender. Eagerness to make a big play in pursuit can betray his role at times.
Takes strong angles to the football with the ball in flight. Anticipatory breaks on the ball have led to a lot of ball production, set career highs in plays on the ball in 2018 as a senior. Shows good hands and natural skills as a returner after a turnover.
Mean, nasty hitter who moves at a different speed than his teammates in pursuit once locked onto the football. Has a great sense of fighting through contact on the edge and working to discard of blocks as a support defender.
Has effective range of motion below the waist to produce suddenness on a plant/bucket step to spring out of a pedal. Mobility and body control flash most when tasked with tackling in the open field, shows good tackle radius to finish reps.
Provides best reps in off coverage, especially against shallow route stems to take 90 degree breaks in pursuit of the route and transitioning into the hip pocket. Needs to gear down and come to balance when arriving at the catch point as a support tackler.
Athletically matches up well against slot receivers and even tight ends thanks to desirable play strength and explosiveness. Turn and run transitions look smooth but patience isn't at level to play press in the nickel with consistency.
Reasonable upside to play deep middle, deep half, man to man, box safety, nickel defender and as a blitzer. Immediate role may be best served as a third safety to add further polish to his game and ensure he's processing priorities correctly.
VIDEO:
COMMENTARY:
There had been rumors before the draft that the Packers were looking to trade up from the 30th pick, but it still came as somewhat of a surprise when it was announced the Seahawks had traded down at 21 to the Packers, who moved up to select Savage. The prevailing notion is that the Ravens were prepared to take Savage with the next selection, and that seems to be true, considering the Ravens then immediately traded down after the Packers selected him.
In Savage, the Packers hope to have filled their largest position of need in their starting defensive unit: the safety spot opposite newly acquired Adrian Amos. Savage seems to be the antithesis to a player like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix; he's not afraid ot seek contact, and he takes strong angles to the ball.
Many scouts and draft experts had Savage ranked as the top safety of the draft. The Packers valued him enough to give up a pair of fourth round picks to move up and snag him, so clearly they agree that he was a can't-miss prospect at a big-time position of need.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
__________________________
Comments (175)
Irish_Cheesehead
April 25, 2019 at 09:44 pm
We traded up for the guy? Who was going to take him before 30?????
cuervo
April 26, 2019 at 06:19 am
Probably nobody...that's two head scratchers tonight. I hope Gute proves he was correct....I'm not so sure but hope like hell I'm wrong.
After sleeping on these picks, and doing a bit more reading....I'm actually excited with the Savage pick. Basically the same size as Nick Collins, and faster, big hitter. As for Gary, there is no doubt he's an athletic freak....maybe when he's not double teamed constantly like he was in college, we'll see more disruption.
The fact is, none of us have a clue because none of us have spent 1/100th of the time analyzing these players that the team has. Let's hope they both produce as we hope.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:31 am
Cuervo,
Reasonable, well thought out comments after your nights rest :)
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 06:50 am
i like the pick. he can play the slot as well as S and i love his tackling. after watching Dix and Brice whiff on tackles, this guy is a solid tackler. he's got blazing speed and is very good in coverage and makes impact plays. i can see why Gute moved up to take this guy.
x24
April 27, 2019 at 07:12 pm
Remember McMillan? Let's hope the game is not too big for Savage
HankScorpio
April 25, 2019 at 09:50 pm
Indy.
cheeseomlette
April 25, 2019 at 09:55 pm
Ravens were going to take him. after we traded up with Seattle and picked him, Ravens traded down with Eagles. could be coincidence but I read somewhere Ravens were eyeing for Savage.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 03:38 am
And we all no how much the Ravens suck at evaluating safety play.
crayzpackfan
April 25, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Absolutely terrible pick to move up on. They could’ve had Adderly at 30 or moved up for Fant. This draft is confusing me. Time will tell, but I’m a bit underwhelmed.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 03:46 am
Could've had Adderley? If Adderley was as good as Savage he would've went first round but he didn't and no one traded up for him. Savage was the first safety off the board and Abram went second. So tired of hearing Adderley's name just because his uncle played in GB. Maybe if you actually watched tape of players playing instead of relying on journalist opinions to form your own you could see who by far was the better player on film against much stronger competition as well.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:32 am
Maybe realize that you know a small fraction of what the pros do when it comes to the pick. Same goes for all of us in here.
Relax and see how it plays out
RickInCali
April 26, 2019 at 12:36 am
Sigh....
RickInCali
April 26, 2019 at 12:34 am
Sigh..... Go to youtube and subscribe to Brett Kollman. He nailed the Gary pick and tells you why. He had Savage going at 31 to the Pats. We had to have a Safety and for me it was between Savage and Adderley. Savage was an outstanding pick.
People who say “my draft guide says” are really beyond retarded. For the first time this morning — I looked at all the mocks on NFL.com and it was a blazing pile of crap. Watch some stuff for yourself! A lot of people here liked people like Lindstrom, were down on Sweat and DK......because they looked at these people’s tape. Think for your danged selves instead of spouting some media idiot’s trashy take on things.
HankScorpio
April 26, 2019 at 04:05 am
Most "My draft guides" had Jawaan Taylor going in the top 10-15, Arif Hasan's Consensus board had him @ 11. Cody Ford was not rated quite as high but it was rare to see him as a 2nd. Same with DK Metcalf, Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy.
The 32 NFL teams collectively rated all of them as 2nd rounders, at best.
dobber
April 26, 2019 at 05:24 am
I think that's the key here: mow through last night's first round, then go look at mocks. We call some of those picks 'head-scratchers' (Daniel Jones to the Giants early?), but that's because all we've heard from is 'draft experts' and pundits, not from GMs...because they never talk.
The talking heads aren't GMs. They make a living by getting you to click their links. GMs make a living (and a very lucrative one) by building rosters. If a draftnik is wrong on a player, it doesn't cost them very much. If a GM is wrong, he's one pick closer to being on the unemployment line.
HankScorpio
April 26, 2019 at 06:28 am
Exactly, I admit to buying into the Jawaan Taylor hype. I would have been quite content if he was the pick at 12. But when the rubber hits the road, he's still sitting there as we transition from round 1 to round 2. That doesn't mean the NFL GMs are right about him and the draftniks are wrong, in terms of his potential. But it does mean he is a 2nd round value, not top 15 value.
As that applies to Darnell Savage, his actual value is top 25. Because that describes where he was picked, not someone's guess at where he might go or should go. Maybe there is not much difference between 20 and 35. Maybe all those guys hold the same value. But I won't get into skewering Gute or the Packers because of the value judgments of the draftnik crowd. Plenty of other much more valid reasons for me to skewer Gute, :)
PeteK
April 26, 2019 at 08:51 am
I always liked Savage because he was the best cover safety. However, is he worth two mid round picks and a very good tackle in Taylor better than Thornhill who we could get today. I'll feel much better if we get Taylor or Risner today because if we don't I will have nightmares of Spriggs getting eaten up and getting Rogers injured because its a very safe bet that Bulaga will miss some time this season.
Swedish Chef
April 28, 2019 at 06:43 am
Belly Tuerner
Mr.Grapple
April 28, 2019 at 10:15 am
Yes, one step closer to the unemployment line with a couple of Million Dollars in the bank. I want to be on the unemployment line with a nice bank account.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 06:23 am
I already have a sub with Brett. He's awesome at breaking down film on players, he does an amazing job. He did an episode this past season on what was wrong with AR that was spot on. He also had the Packers taking Gary at 12 in his mock and gives a detailed explanation why Gary is a perfect fit for Pettine's system. I recommend any and all Packer fans to check it out.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 09:12 am
We were blogging Thornhill to #30 with Savage a close second. as the best FS s His speed made the call for Gutekunst. Pats, Colts , Crows were all targeting Savage and Abram. First two DBs off the board. Ted would have waited and missed both.
PeteK
April 26, 2019 at 06:27 pm
Rip Van Winkle, he drafted Nick Collins -mid 2nd round, Burnett-3rd round .Put that in your pipe and smoke it. LOL
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:44 am
likely at least 2 teams
JonathanSpader
April 26, 2019 at 08:15 am
Disappointed with the 1st round of the draft. I'm excited to see Savage but giving up 2 4th round picks when we have more holes to fill hurts. Watching tape on Gary just made me more disappointed that Pittsburg traded up for Bush.
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 10:34 pm
I'm wondering why Gary and not Wilkins?
Irish_Cheesehead
April 25, 2019 at 09:46 pm
Pick Analysis - NFL.com
Round 1 • Pick 21 (21)
He's explosive, you can play him all over the field. He is always around the field. The buzz really started about him over the last week. You love the toughness he brings to the table. He can play the nickel, he's that athletic, that 4.3 40 translates. -- Daniel Jeremiah
stockholder
April 25, 2019 at 09:53 pm
This was a reach. He cost us two extra 4s. 11 Bps and size says injury coming. This is a mans game. Something Gute has failed to see. This team will not be in the top 10 in defenses. He wasted draft capitol. For underwear players.
Zebra 3
April 25, 2019 at 10:36 pm
You don't know what you are talking about.
Get a damn good Saftey and you squawk about 4th rounders...LOL
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:48 am
Got that right Zebra
PeteK
April 26, 2019 at 08:56 am
Thornhill is also a good safety and we keep our two picks. Look most are not disappointed in Savage, he's a great fit but moving up to get him is worth some head scratching discussions.
Urupackers
April 26, 2019 at 01:21 am
5 ft 11 in
206 lb
4.49 s
11 reps
This is Nick Collins the best safety that the Packers drafted in this century, 7 years starter in Green Bay
5 ft 11 in
198 lb
4.36 s
11 reps
this is Darnell Savage
2 or 3 big Mac combos and he is in the same weight as Nick Collins
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 04:01 am
He has a very compact and thick build similar to Jaire however, and is exceptionally sturdy. He started and played in 46 of 48 games for Maryland with no injury history to speak of. The only two games he didn't play and start were his first two games his freshman year. He is a thumper and laid low some very good backs in the big 10 like Zeke and Saquon. I have no concerns about him being too small, it's complete hogwash.
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 07:06 am
it'' be good to have a guy that can wrap up and tackle. not like the whiffers...Brice and Dicks!
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:45 am
The facts, thank you
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:43 am
you're a genius. Know so much more that the GM and team
Cartwright
April 26, 2019 at 07:07 am
Stock you got what you wanted, we went all in on defense in the first round. We could have gone OT and TE, I'm glad we didn't. Hopefully that gets addressed next, Risner?, Sternberger? should we land those two we'll be sitting pretty.
PeteK
April 26, 2019 at 08:59 am
Risner please! ILB and RB are bigger needs than TE
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 09:19 am
Looking at,TE, ,OT, RB in rounds 2-5. Probably trades up to the fourth and he can still use 2020 picks if necessary. Lot more drama for the Fans tonight.
Leatherhead
April 25, 2019 at 09:51 pm
Hey...he’s fast!!! And a playmaker. And we did need a safety. If he can cover and tackle is all I care about.
baldski
April 25, 2019 at 10:30 pm
I like the speed. Something we have been lacking in the secondary.
dobber
April 25, 2019 at 10:34 pm
I liked Savage a lot. Fast, smart, good tackler, can play single high. I didn't expect they'd move up to get him, though, and I think they gave up a lot of flexibility to do it. First DB off the board (which is amazing)...I would argue they should've let the draft come to them at 30.
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 10:45 pm
First rule of drafting...don't fall in love with specific players. Gutekunst could've still got a top tier safety at #30. He broke that rule and it's gonna cost the Packers dearly!
dobber
April 26, 2019 at 05:26 am
Isn't the second rule of drafting that if you find a player you really want and can make a difference for your team at a price you feel is worth it, you go get him?
Rule 1 and rule 2 seem to contradict each other.
A lot of people around here complain that there hasn't been enough 'rule 2' from the Packers in recent years.
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 07:10 am
look at what the Steelers gave up to go and get Bush.....and i think it was a great move. i was hoping he would fall to the Packers at 12. same with Savage. he was their guy and they went up and got him cause i don't think he would have made it to 30.
PeteK
April 26, 2019 at 12:18 pm
One great one was Matthews, Dob
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:45 am
and you know this why?
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:49 am
ah crystal ball reader
Rossonero
April 25, 2019 at 10:57 pm
33 missed tackles per PFF, but his upside can possibly offset that.
Cartwright
April 26, 2019 at 07:21 am
Dob, I would argue you get who you want when you can especially if you think he'll be taken before it's your turn and lose out on the player you covet. On the Savage trade I was hoping they would do something like that to pick up Devin Bush, but the asking price must have been too high.
Samson
April 25, 2019 at 10:48 pm
OSchool .. have to agree. -- You're focused on what really matters -- he's fast & a playmaker.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:00 am
He can make plays on the ball is all I care about. 7 picks from that defense in 2018.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:43 am
right on
NickPerry
April 25, 2019 at 09:51 pm
Last week I said "In Gute I Trust".... Right now I REALLY have to question WTF he's doing.
Passed on Taylor and Dillard TWICE for Gary and Savage!! Are you kidding me?
Could have taken Dillard or Taylor at 12, got Gary at #30 or since they traded for sure at 21 and drafted Savage at 44.
Right now Teams in the NFC North are breathing sighs of relief at what's happened vs what COULD have been.
stockholder
April 25, 2019 at 09:56 pm
Savage was rated the 6th best safety by my guides. He surly is not a first round pick. Compare him to Palamala. 1 year ceiling.
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 10:11 pm
Savage 6th best safety? Put down your guide and look at the tape for yourself, man. Savage can freakin' play... Terrific pick, IMO.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 04:05 am
Your draft guide? I hope you didn't pay money for it. Maybe you can salvage it as fire starter.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:50 am
Rated, by whom?
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 10:14 pm
Dillard is going to sit at Philly and Taylor didn't even get a vote of confidence from the Texans. I think they are both good-but-not-great prospects. Savage, on the other hand, is borderline amazing.... watch his tape!!!
Oppy
April 26, 2019 at 05:09 am
Nick, Just a friendly reminder :
Last season you were completely freaking the eff out that the Packers wasted their pick on Jaire Alexander- losing your mind about such a garbage pick being made instead of this guy, that guy.
It all ended up working out okay.
The draft: We just don't know, until we know. But we certainly don't know right now. Gotta let things play out.
Bert
April 25, 2019 at 09:52 pm
Actually I think Savage may turn out to be a very good player. Not sure about Gary at #12 but I'm thinking Savage could provide a long term solution at safety. Also not sure about the offense. Hope Gute can pick up a couple gems to help on the OL and TE.
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 10:07 pm
It will have to be in the second or third round. By the fifth round it'll be too late. Gutekunst is drafting like TT...nothing has changed!
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 09:24 am
The team is faster, number one.
Dzehren
April 25, 2019 at 09:53 pm
GB is making the Raiders look smart tonight.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:52 am
yah know what? No matter who they drafted this page would look the same
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 09:53 pm
Gutekunst is a genius...he gave away two fourth round picks to move up and take a guy he could've waited and got at #30!
Mojo
April 25, 2019 at 10:02 pm
And that's the crux of this. It's not that Gary or Savage might end up being good players, it's also playing the draft too.
Sure, someone else might have taken these players but a good GM plays the odds.
Now we have nothing in the fourth where you could expect one of them to end up a starter. Look what they did there with o-lineman in the past.
Not at all happy with what Gute is doing, Waited months for this and then ...
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:53 am
oh, so sorry he didn't follow your picks, so sad
crayzpackfan
April 25, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Absolutely amateur move. I’m beside myself
Doug_In_Sandpoint
April 25, 2019 at 09:55 pm
I bet Gute thought when Fant went off the board he had one other position of need and didn’t want to be denied. So he went and got it done with a team he knew was looking for additional picks. Not too expensive if we get a day one starter.
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 10:57 pm
So he's worth a first and two fourth round picks? Because that's what he cost us...a chance to find two more contributors.
Leatherhead
April 25, 2019 at 09:56 pm
If the Packers aren’t good this year, Gute is going to be in trouble before he’s halfway through his 5 year deal.
Mojo
April 25, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Yup
BlackHawk
April 25, 2019 at 10:41 pm
Mark Murphy needs to be put on the hot seat now!
HankScorpio
April 25, 2019 at 09:58 pm
I dislike trading up for anyone but according to the chart, what the Packers gave up should have taken them to 24, not 21. So at least they got value.
There was a lot of late buzz that Savage was going to be drafted tonight. So I don't think it's a reach.
Still, I would have preferred Dillard or Taylor.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:13 am
He scouted Spriggs, so he's giving him another chance to stick. There are better OT s coming in the next draft and maybe Bulaga can survive for another two-year extension? He rated Gary ahead of Dillard and figured he could get pass rush reps out of him in the rotation.
Since'61
April 25, 2019 at 09:59 pm
He could finally be our answer at Safety. He's got speed.
Time will tell. Thanks, Since '61
Buckywunder
April 25, 2019 at 09:59 pm
Don’t know what to say. Gute drafted like a seasoned pro last year. This first round so far: like Mike Sherman?
Doug Niemczynski
April 25, 2019 at 10:21 pm
I agree. This team could NOT risk or take as ny chances on players and the Packer organization flopped big time in 2019.
Summer_PackerBacker
April 25, 2019 at 11:17 pm
Thought you said you were going to bed Doug. Please do like you said you would. You haven't given a single valid reason to complain and yet that's all you've done. Go root for the Browns you fair weather, self-obssessed fan.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:58 am
lol, and you know this before any of them step on the field. You should apply for the GM job.
My guess you thought we should dump our super star receiver after the first season too
FAN24583
April 25, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Wow!! Smh. WTF just happened? Did TT just re emerge? BG this is a real reach. I think you just shit the bed. Hope you are smarter than you appear.
jh9
April 25, 2019 at 10:01 pm
I like Savage, but not in the 1st round. He is a 3rd round pick. And to give up two 4th round picks...?
First Gary and now Savage... This draft will haunt Guteknunst.
Doug Niemczynski
April 25, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Then the Packers should have traded down from #12 drafted your savage guy and added picks to our draft. Seattle was smart.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 06:59 am
also love the pick! Will it turn out? Time will tell as with all picks
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 05:52 am
Love the pick!
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 10:02 pm
No way was Savage going to make it to #30, he's been showing up in mocks in the early 20s all week. Just look at this guy's tape--it's unbelievable!! Mark my words, in two years Savage will be a Pro bowler. Phenomenal pick.
Handsback
April 25, 2019 at 10:03 pm
If the Packers pick Savage and right after that the Ravens trade down...how else would you figure that he would have made it to 30. The Pat's liked him too. Rashard may not start...Savage will be starter on day one.
AgrippaLII
April 25, 2019 at 10:24 pm
He'll have to be a starter now...by default...we have no one else!
RWood832
April 25, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Savage was the FIRST DB selected in the draft. Nobody could have foreseen that! I cannot believe that his value was that much higher than the other Safety's in the draft - I had him at 44 in a few mock drafts I did.
This costs GB opportunities for depth in the 4th round - likely RB, ILB, WR
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 10:53 pm
I don't know why it took so long for the cognoscente to notice Savage, but when I saw his tape his tape in March--HOLY SHIT. Finally he started getting props, and long with Lindstrom and Collier, made a gigantic leap in the last couple of weeks. Gary might be a miss, but to me, Savage is a guaranteed hit.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:21 am
They should watch College football games, especially SEC and Big Ten instead of playing Madden. You can see which guys stand out and Savage
was a playmaker. Gary we'll have to see how he shows in summer league.
The arm deal held him back against OSU. They schemed him to take up blockers while Winovich roamed, so that says his arm was compromised.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:21 am
They should watch College football games, especially SEC and Big Ten instead of playing Madden. You can see which guys stand out and Savage
was a playmaker. Gary we'll have to see how he shows in summer league.
The arm deal held him back against OSU. They schemed him to take up blockers while Winovich roamed, so that says his arm was compromised.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 25, 2019 at 10:09 pm
Savage has a chance to be great. Still, he was 2nd or 3rd on my list of free safeties. I like him as a player while wondering if it was necessary to give up two fourths to grab him. Thornhill, Adderly or CGJ all would have been solid picks as well.
Samson
April 25, 2019 at 10:33 pm
A simple guess ... on your part ... right?
Johnblood27
April 25, 2019 at 11:37 pm
This is my exact comment.
Why oh why give up 2 4ths for the equivalent of 3 other players at the same position?
This was just Stoopid.
Savage now HAS to be an all-pro within 2 years to justify this investment.
Gute must be sitting at the draft table with the 10.000 mile stare and mouth open. Is his hair turning white? Maybe he drafted Savage to move him to corner?
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 05:56 am
Wth? All I heard pre draft was how Gute needed to move up and get a playmaker on defense. So he does exactly that and manages to hold onto his second and third round picks and all I hear now is whining over two 4th round picks. Which way do you want it for Pete's sake, Sheesh! And you're Assuming those other 3 players are as good as Savage. They surely were not from the hours of tape I watched. I wonder what, other than some journalists opinion you read makes you think you know better than Gute, Sullivan, and Hendrickson what they and the coaches want and need for Pettines defense ?
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:10 am
you got it Rak!!
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:00 am
as you said on your list
crayzpackfan
April 25, 2019 at 10:11 pm
All I can say about round one is that Gute is a genius and I’m just an emotional fan. Cuz what I just seen unfold makes me wanna put my finger down my throat. Jesus!! That last pick sobered me up just like I seen a cop.
WinUSA
April 25, 2019 at 10:24 pm
Now THAT’s funny!!!!!! Sobering up like I saw a COP.... Bahahaaaha
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 11:02 pm
Friendly advice: take the finger out of your throat and go look at Savage's tape on Youtube...see if you feel the same way about the pick after watching him play?
Doug Niemczynski
April 25, 2019 at 10:18 pm
Gary sux.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:01 am
ok, just a stupid comment
splitpea1
April 25, 2019 at 10:20 pm
Ooh, this guy was kind of expensive....But if there was ever a position where we needed help, this is it. I'm noticing that fans aren't exactly rolling out the red carpet for our top picks here, which is a shame because I wouldn't want to see their feelings hurt before they even step off the plane. I'm not going to pass judgment until I see them play in the regular season. Look at it this way: the Packers are never going to get over the hump until they're able to field a solid defensive team. You have to trust that the GM and scouting department are doing their best to provide the infusion of talent that is needed. Now it's up to the coaching staff to put these newly drafted and signed players in the best position to succeed.
Samson
April 25, 2019 at 10:32 pm
Nice to see -- someone who's smart enough to realize that fans are not really the experts in this whole draft process.
splitpea1
April 25, 2019 at 10:58 pm
Thanks.
Both these players are supremely talented and seem to be of good character--let's give them a chance.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:11 am
so true
Swisch
April 25, 2019 at 10:22 pm
I think Pettine knows who he likes, and is decisive about getting those guys.
I think he's almost like a second head coach, who will have the humility to not get in the way of the real head coach.
I think LaFleur is assertive enough to be a great head coach, but confident enough in himself to let Pettine have a lot of freedom to build and scheme an elite defense.
I think Pettine is getting versatile, athletic guys who are strong and fast and quick and tough.
With Savage and Gary, as well as our three free agents on defense, and with already some good talent coming back from last year -- the Packers are en route to being an elite defense of mayhem and mauling in a year or two.
I think the Vikings and Bears, as well as other teams, are going to be shocked when a Packers defense kicks their asses.
For the first time since Lombardi, the Packers defense is going to be feared!
Johnblood27
April 25, 2019 at 11:40 pm
really?
Since Lombardi?
Reggie White and Gilbert Brown and Leroy Butler might just disagree with that dumazz statement.
Swisch
April 26, 2019 at 12:22 am
Johnblood, that Packers defense of the 1990s may have been very good, but not feared. They were run over by the Broncos in a losing Super Bowl; and even when we won the Super Bowl the year before against the Patriots, the defense wasn't all that special until Reggie got those two big sacks to seal the deal.
I'm hopeful that Pettine's defense is going to be fast and fierce, dynamic and dominating.
Our new guys come into a defense that played hard and solid last season, with vets such as Clark and Martinez and Williams; plus some shining young talent such as Fackrell and Alexander and King; plus some promising hopefuls such as Adams and Burks and Greene.
Look for lots of depth with fresh players flying around in varied schemes to confuse the offense; and sure tackling with some good clean clobbering; and many more turnovers and three-and-outs.
It's gonna be a blast!
Johnblood27
April 26, 2019 at 01:44 am
Gabe Wilkins was run over.
He quit on the team so bad that management had to move him off the team and out of the locker room before the next season.
He just couldnt take the cut blocking Denver threw at him.
I still blame that entire loss on Holmgren letting speculation of his departure fester for the 2 weeks before the game taking the attention away from the team and the job at hand.
I was having breakfast at a little mom and pop place in Maui this past summer and who was sitting right across from my table? Mike Holmgren! No shit! It was just him and his wife and me and my wife, daughter and her sister in the place.
I looked at him, he looked at me, we both knew that I recognized who he was and I just ignored him. I am still so pissed at him for what he did to my favorite sports franchise. He is dead to me.
Not to mention the pass interference on Freeman which led to Favres 1st half interception that put the Pack down 2 scores.
Other than that I really am over that loss....
Dont mention 4th and 26...
or Seattle....
Other than that
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 07:30 am
let it go dude! your life will be a lot better!
Swisch
April 26, 2019 at 12:17 pm
Johnblood, That Denver game still does really hurt, but try to remember the good times -- like your three-straight championships with the Packers in the late 1920s.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 28, 2019 at 07:02 pm
Johnny,
The Pack was supposed to beat Denver by what? 14 points or something like that?
I was on a 2 week vacation in South America on the beach. No tv or radio. No paper! About one week after the game I still did not know who had won the game and I happened upon another couple on the beach and immediately asked them who won. I of course was confidant the Pack had won. When the guy told me Denver I nearly had to sit down I was so devastated. That was a tough moment and yes I still am upset with that loss to this very day!
jeremyjjbrown
April 25, 2019 at 10:24 pm
I like the Savage pick. I do not like the Gary pick. I'm not a fan of the cost of either pick.
Tundraboy
April 25, 2019 at 11:27 pm
I'm with you.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:02 am
perfectly happy with both picks
Samson
April 25, 2019 at 10:36 pm
Amazing!! ---The fans have it all figured out.
Sitting on their dead a$$e$ on their couches while half intoxicated. -- Some of you need to do your homework or just watch the games on Sunday. -- Stop with the analyzation.
Both picks were made by experienced pros, not couch potatoes.
dobber
April 25, 2019 at 10:43 pm
Half intoxicated? You're giving me too much credit... ;)
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 28, 2019 at 07:03 pm
Funny Dobber!
Mojo
April 25, 2019 at 11:38 pm
The 2015 draft was made by experienced pros and how did that turn out?
Every year every team has experienced pros making their decisions yet many of those decisions end up sucking. How can that possibly happen?
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:03 am
truest comment tonight Samson
sherrmann1806
April 25, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Did someone just state that we traded out 2 4th round pics to trade up to get savage?? IS GUDENKUNST HIGH THIS NIGHT OR SOMETHING!!??
Is he trying to be a Jag in drafting this night or..is it just my imagination!! How stupid!! We could have got Savage in the second round WITHOUT trading at all!!
Im stunned at how lame and disappointingly this draft has started for the packers!! Just stunned!!
Doesnt he know that this draft is critically important for the immediate and long term for the packers!??
If he is trying to get the packers back into play off prominence.....then he couldnt of started out more poorly!!
Samson
April 25, 2019 at 10:58 pm
Please, you're embarrassing yourself. -- You don't have a clue. -- This is real football, not your fantasy football endeavors.
Go away Dash.
Barnacle
April 26, 2019 at 04:08 am
Samson
Gute is the embarrassment........
1) Extended an old disgruntled, injury prone QB that we had control of for four more years. Now he has control of the team. Probably trying to make him happy with money. It did not work.
2) Overpaid free agents in one impulsive day showing how “smart and creative” he is.
3) Wasted a lot of draft capital to “outsmart” the rest of the league?
It will be interesting to see how the professional analysts evaluate our draft. My guess is that the experts will have us rated at or near the bottom
zeke
April 26, 2019 at 06:07 am
Every one of the "professional analysts" will likely start their evaluation with the same disclaimer: it takes three years to evaluate a draft class. But, for the sake of clicks, here goes...
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 07:36 am
we won't know about this draft for 3 years so anything you read about this draft in the next few months is pure unadulterated garbage!
CalPacker
April 25, 2019 at 11:09 pm
Yeah, a month ago I would have thought Savage would be available @44, but his stock has been blistering hot the last few weeks, and so no, I don't think we gave up anything more than was necessary. I'm just so excited about Savage as a player, it's frustrating that so many people seem down on the pick. I can't help but think all the haters have skipped the step of watching Savage's tape, which is phenomenal... Thornhill and Adderley are good, but not as good as Savage...
JonnieB12
April 25, 2019 at 11:15 pm
I agree for sure, Savage is a beast. Check out Brett Kollmans mock draft on youtube, he has Savage going 32 and raves about him.
Mojo
April 25, 2019 at 11:40 pm
''' and isn't 32 after 30?
dobber
April 26, 2019 at 05:33 am
<< takes off shoes >>
I'll have to get back to you on that...
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 06:12 am
It's a mock! You know 1 of thousands. God forbid someone make a pick that doesn't follow"THE MOCK".
fthisJack
April 26, 2019 at 07:39 am
yes it is....but 22 is before 30!
WinUSA
April 26, 2019 at 07:43 am
The damn Green and Gold “hype” was that the pack in their draft position was to get three IMPACT, DAY ONE starters... NOT THREEE year projects!!!!
Johnblood27
April 25, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Look, Im not gonna say Savage isnt a good player.
I will say that he is in NO WAY that much better than Adderly Or CGJ or Thornhill or Abram.
The POINT is that trading up and giving away 2 4ths was just stoopid to acquire a Safety that had equivalent talent at the same position available through the early 2nd round even if there was a run on the position.
Samson, you please stop DASHING to judgement on others opinions here on an OPINION site.
You do NOT own the internet or this site.
If Al never banned the dash-rash-whatever I think this site can handle opinions that you dont agree with.
And all your CRAP about "professionals" can just stop too.
None of us here are professionals at NFL football, however that is not what this forum is for! This is for fans to express their opinions, not for you to try to intimidate others into silence.
I aint skeered!
WinUSA
April 25, 2019 at 10:41 pm
Honestly....after THREE months of hype, 45 mock drafts, 8 different top 100 draft candidates list.... I have been salivating for this day... after the Packers selection.. it was like try to swallow a package of dehydrated k rations without water....
baldski
April 25, 2019 at 10:41 pm
Every pick has to be given at least 3 years before you can find out if they are really stud players. Remember Adams. The draft is a crap shoot. Look where Brady was drafted. Rodgers? Nobody would take a shot at Arod at the draft. SF passed on him because he was too cocky. Nobody will know dink for 3 years.
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:32 am
Montravious will have a good year
BigCheese2
April 25, 2019 at 10:52 pm
Great value trade up at 21. Savage was my number 1 safety. Amos is a SS / swiss army guy (as much as everyone thinks he is a FS, for some reason...). We needed a speedy, rangy, true FS. We got the best of this draft.
If anything, I am 323928 times more concerned with Gary at 12. He would probably still be available right now if we passed on him....
Rossonero
April 25, 2019 at 11:01 pm
Another surprise pick. Deep safety class and we lose two 4th rounders.
Gute is swinging for the fences, that's for damn sure. I need to read more on savage, but from little film I've seen, the guy is greased lightning.
Can he play free safety tho? And what does this mean for Josh Jones?
Minniman
April 25, 2019 at 11:24 pm
A really good point re Josh Jones. This can't bode well for him in Green Bay.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 04:36 am
Watch some film on this kid Ross you're gonna love him. Think Jaire Alexander speed/quickness and ball skills playing safety and hitting like a mack truck. That's Darnell Savage.
Rossonero
April 26, 2019 at 07:31 am
I'll check him out, thanks Rak! I was a little worried reading his NFL.com profile. It made him sound like he's better closer to the line of scrimmage and can be caught out of position because of his hyper aggressiveness....
This evaluation read eerily similar to Josh Jones' 2 years ago. Savage has a faster 40 time, but Jones ran a 4.42 and was very athletic as well. I just hope Savage can play free safety unless Amos can already.
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 12:23 pm
You need not worry about that Ross, the kid is a center fielder. He can play close to the line because of his physicality and willingness to tackle but he is definitely a ball hawking center fielder in the mold of Earl Thomas, and Ed Reed.
JonnieB12
April 25, 2019 at 11:12 pm
I love how everyone on here acts like they know more than professionals whose job is on the line to make these picks. Savage is a great safety with 4.3 speed... I didn't think they would trade up for him but if he was rated high, we needed a safety so go get him. One of the 4th rounders was from the Clinton-Dix trade anyway.
leche
April 25, 2019 at 11:26 pm
Nasir Adderly, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Juan Thornhill all made it to Day 2. We 100% didn't need to trade up to draft this guy when we probably could have had one of the 4 of them at 44 but 1000% could have had at 30.
Gotta be a pure draft crush by Gute
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:34 am
#44 will go to WR orILB. Maybe a TE.
Mojo
April 26, 2019 at 12:02 am
God, if I hear one more comment about the infallible nature of the "professionals". They make mistakes all the time.
Here's a small sample from GB alone:
2011 Alex Green, DJ Williams
2012 Jerel Worthy, Jerron McMillian
2013 Datone Jones
2014 Ha Ha, Khyri Thorton, Richard Rodgers, Carl Bradford (all in the first four rounds)
2015 The entire draft
2016 Jason Spriggs
2017 Josh Jones, M Adams, Vince Beagel
2018 Joshua Jackson, Oren Burks, JaMon Moore
The 2018 draftees have time to make amends, but basically did nothing last year.
For brevity sake, I left out a lot more.
Point is, the pros often miss and unfortunately I'd gather even more so in GB over the last eight or nine years.
CalPacker
April 26, 2019 at 01:23 am
I agree, pros make mistakes all the time. But fans who base their reactions largely on mock drafts--without actually watching tape on a guy--add more heat than light to these conversations. As far as Savage is concerned, don't trust the experts, don't trust Gute--watch the tape, and trust your own eyes!!! I challenge anybody to spend some time watching Savage and come away with reservations about him as a Packer...
And one other thing: players are not commodities. Just because there are "acceptable" round 2 options doesn't mean you don't pull the trigger on a guy who is really a breed apart. Watching Savage, I for one think that he is in a separate category from those other safeties...
Rak43
April 26, 2019 at 04:28 am
Nice to see another fan who actually watches film on players before making a judgment. We're on the same page with Savage.
Montana
April 26, 2019 at 05:11 am
I agree Cali, the tape on Savage is impressive. The buzz was that Savage would be gone by 30 so we had to give up something for a playmaker. I guess time will tell if two 4th round picks were worth the trade. If Savage lives up to his tape in college I will be fine with the trade......Go Pack
zeke
April 26, 2019 at 06:25 am
Maybe I'm missing it, but I haven't seen one comment here claiming that the professionals are infallible. That's sort of the point, though.
If you were to look at all of the players that are left and had to pick the 32 who will be selected in round 2 (just the names, not even which team will pick them), what percentage do you think you would get right? 50%? 80%?
That's not to say that fans aren't entitled to have their opinions (or to express them on a message board), but when someone says they "know" that a player will be gone by a certain pick or will "definitely" be available later on, that sort of absolutism often inspires idiots like me to ask for proof. Otherwise, pointing out that professional scouts may have a more reliable opinion seems fair.
fastmoving
April 26, 2019 at 06:51 am
what? they make mistakes??
man, they are human. of course they make mistakes! and even pros dont know the future. most of it is pure luck.
You can not even call it mistakes, if some picks does not work out. other than that Mojos list its a mistake my himself and everyone would write down a different one.
but you can be sure if you find a way to lets the fans decide, there would be way more mistakes than hits.
complaining and stupidity is really way up the last 2 and half years….
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:14 am
LOL, the Draft is a bit of a crap shoot, to be sure. But yes the pros do much better than you or the other experts in here would o over time
Alexander did nothing last year ?
CAG123
April 25, 2019 at 11:12 pm
SMH you guys are waaaayyy too down on this pick do none of you watch film? Let’s see a safety that can play either position, runs a 4.3, makes plays on the ball, can cover the slot, and gets physical?! Yes please since when do we not like or want that? He was actually a late riser and could have been gone which would have left Abraham who is a pure SS, Nassir Who isn’t a good tackler, Hooker who I actually liked but isn’t really athletic just really sound (Adrian Amos), and then Thompson who completely fell off the face of the earth. Savage was my second best safety after Abraham only because I thought they would be playing Amos at FS. This is a great pick and no where close to what they did with Randall even as a safety Savage is better.
Mojo
April 26, 2019 at 12:20 am
Funny, when someone's critical of a pick they're scolded for not possibly having the insight and know how of the GB insiders, yet if they praise a pick even though they don't have the that same insight they're lauded as being prescient.
This isn't a knock on you CAG, it's more so aimed at all the rhetoric spewing from certain posters who can't wrap their heads around that their lack of professional diagnosis is the same as someone who criticizes a pick.
I have no problem with them picking Savage, just wish they didn't have to give up two 4th rounders to do it.
John30856
April 26, 2019 at 07:15 am
We can all wish that but we'll never know will we?
jannesbjornson
April 26, 2019 at 12:37 am
He may play some three safety sets like BILL. Get Tramon in the mix, too.
Ryan3468
April 25, 2019 at 11:34 pm
Defense has been picked on day one for how long? Green Bay didn’t even score at home on week 16 last year. Rogers was hit far to many times. If Green Bay is going anywhere it’s with an offense that can score. Get some offensive linemen, running back, wide receiver, a tight end if there are any left. Stay smart and attempt to improve more than those teams around you. Xmas morning is always weird. Go Pack Go!
Oppy
April 26, 2019 at 05:25 am
The Packers giving up two 4ths to move up and take a player in the 1st probably says just as much about what the Packers think of the talent level in this draft as how they view Savage.
My guess is that the Packers think this draft class loses talent quickly after the second or third round, or at the very least, that the majority of players likely to be available between the 3rd-5th rounds are all about the same talent tier.
Or, maybe they just feel Savage is going to be special, and didn't feel as strongly about anyone else left on the board. Whatever the case... I like to let the players play and see what they are, as opposed to what everyone else thinks they are.
dobber
April 26, 2019 at 05:35 am
It could be they viewed the 30 pick as found money.
MarkinMadison
April 26, 2019 at 06:10 am
Too many needs to be that flippant.
marpag1
April 26, 2019 at 10:22 am
"It could be they viewed the 30 pick as found money."
Maybe. But if so, that would seem to betray a rather profound misunderstanding of draft capital, no?
packrulz
April 26, 2019 at 05:28 am
How many safeties can run a 4.36 40? And he's a good tackler as well. His name alone is worth it. :)
MarkinMadison
April 26, 2019 at 06:05 am
I like this pick a lot. The Packers need a guy who can play free safety, and if you can't get a guy with sub-4.4 speed to play center field then get a new coach. Savage was the only player for Maryland who popped to me when you watched the defense. He is going to be a very good player. If the Packers had him rated that much better than the other safeties and if they thought he might not be there at #30 then I'm glad they went and got him.
PackEyedOptimist
April 26, 2019 at 06:22 am
I had Savage at #31 on my Big Board (and Gary at 33 :( ). Thornhill and Savage were the two guys I thought could be the next Nick Collins, so I'm totally satisfied with the pick; as far as the trade-up, I'm fine with losing the two fourths if the result is a Pro-Bowl impact player. Savage actually reminds me a lot of Jaire; I think he'll be GREAT in the slot. Now if only Kevin King could stay healthy...
EdsLaces
April 26, 2019 at 06:28 am
What Jersey # is he gonna wear....21? I digress... ....p.s. I love this dude. Hes gonna be a star.
CAG123
April 26, 2019 at 10:48 am
SMH people who tell others they can’t play because of their size are probably some of the least athletic folks on earth the guy is 5’11 and 198 not 5’5 160 he’s about 8 pounds lighter than Nick Collins so stop it and he only missed 2 games in 3 years at Maryland.
Tundraboy
April 26, 2019 at 07:22 am
I didn't like giving up so many picks but like what Savage brings. We need a true FS.Hope it works out because we need to fix this. Too many wasted picks or failed attempts at Safety. Didn't we pick Dix in roughly same slot.?
steven burgess
April 26, 2019 at 08:00 am
Lol a reach? Says what? Mock drafts? Stfu. You have no idea what the professional's opinions are. Could of got him at 30? How do you know? They clearly thought he was worth the pick. And they are professionals so trust them. Remember when everyone was mad they picked jaire?
steven burgess
April 26, 2019 at 08:00 am
Lol a reach? Says what? Mock drafts? Stfu. You have no idea what the professional's opinions are. Could of got him at 30? How do you know? They clearly thought he was worth the pick. And they are professionals so trust them. Remember when everyone was mad they picked jaire?
jimtalkbox
April 26, 2019 at 09:33 am
I was not at all surprised that they moved up from 30, but I thought it might be for an OT.
If he's "THE GUY" you find a way to get him. I think he'll pair up well with Amos, and thank goodness he can do the "centerfield" thing.
Besides, "Savage" on a jersey is going to look pretty cool.
CAG123
April 26, 2019 at 10:51 am
I’m thinking MP might snatch a page out of Vic Fangio’s book a switch up where and how he plays Amos and Savage
Leatherhead
April 26, 2019 at 10:57 am
Drafttek had Savage at #75. It does sound as though Gutekunst wanted this guy and traded up to get ahead of the Ravens who wanted him too.
But if he doesn't play well for us, that's like three guys not playing well for us. It's a gamble when you trade up for guys.
Well, we got the best safety on our board, and a starting safety is the biggest need we had.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 28, 2019 at 07:20 pm
I am very pleased with the Darnell Savage selection as well. Yes, I had to get over the two 4th round picks, however I agree his video's look great. He is going to really solidify the back end. I am actually really excited about the speed the Pack now has with Burks, Jones, Jaire, and now Savage. Going to be really nice to see this speed. One could also add Gary and his speed as well.