5 breakout stars to watch for Green Bay Packers in 2020
1. Darnell Savage Jr., strong safety
Like Jace Sternberger and Rashan Gary, safety Darnell Savage Jr. is another player from the Green Bay Packers 2019 NFL Draft class who looks poised for a massive 2020 season. Savage Jr. had by far the strongest rookie campaign of the trio, asserting himself as a legitimate top-half starting strong safety in the NFL.
The first-round pick out of Maryland could become a legitimate star player in 2020. He has great teammates around him, with Kevin King and Jaire Alexander forming one of the best cornerback duos. And in the experienced and prolific Adrian Amos, Savage has a playmaking free safety who can help him form one of the top safety duos in the league, too.
Savage does a good job of coming up and making plays in run defense, and he also picked off two passes last season. As he develops, the consistency and instincts will improve, leading to more big plays. Savage is already assured in coverage and on the road to greatness at the safety position.
Furthermore, Savage plays a key role on the team as their primary slot corner, which is an under-appreciated duty in the NFL. He is tremendous in this role, too, as there may not be a better safety in the NFL at coming up to cover the slot.
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According to the advanced stats, Savage allowed only 6.6 yards per target and a 71.1 QB Rating into his coverage last season. Only Alexander surrendered a lower completion percentage in coverage among the Packers regular defensive backs, and none of the others allowed fewer yards after the catch (59) than Savage.
So Savage is already a quality starting safety. Next season, he’ll be recognized as a legitimate star player in a Packers secondary which will likewise receive more plaudits as an elite unit.