Summary

Darnell Henry Savage Jr. was selected in Round 1 (#21 Overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft out of University of Maryland. With the Terps, Savage emerged as one of the most explosive defensive backs in college football, recording 99 tackles, 6 interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles over his final two collegiate seasons. He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors and boosted his draft stock with elite athletic testing, highlighted by rare speed and change-of-direction ability. In the NFL, Savage became an immediate starter and a central piece of Green Bay’s secondary before later continuing his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Through the 2024 season, he has totaled 400+ career tackles, 15+ interceptions, multiple sacks, and forced fumbles, while playing both deep safety and nickel roles. Savage earned Pro Bowl recognition (2021) and has been praised for his work ethic, intelligence, and professionalism, but since he’s taken a back seat to a bona fide starter’s role beginning in 2025, he has grown frustrated and asked for his release multiple times trying to jumpstart his career.

Strengths

• Elite Range: Outstanding speed allows him to cover large areas of the field. Explodes downhill to limit yards after catch with loose hips, quick feet, and fluid transitions.

• Versatility: Experience at free safety, split safety, nickel, and box alignments. Comfortable matching slots, tight ends, and backs.

• Ball Skills: Capable playmaker when reading the quarterback in zone coverage. Plays fast and aggressively when confident in assignment.

• Blitz Ability: Times pressures well and effective off the edge or from depth.

Weaknesses

• Play Strength: Can be challenged by bigger tight ends and power run concepts.

• Tackling Consistency: Willing but inconsistent finisher in space.

• Run-Fit Discipline: Can overrun plays when triggering aggressively.

• Role Consistency: Performance has fluctuated with usage and schematic clarity.

Outlook

Savage is best suited for multiple, modern defensive schemes that emphasize speed, disguise, and coverage versatility in the secondary. He thrives in systems that allow him to play split-safety, rotate post-snap, and attack from depth, rather than functioning as a full-time box defender. Pairing him with a more physical, assignment-stable safety helps maximize his range and playmaking while limiting exposure in downhill run fits. Looking ahead, Savage projects as a starting-caliber safety or high-end rotational defender whose value is tied to deployment and confidence. Sort of falling into the box of being a misfit toy who can do a little bit of everything but nothing in particular exceptionally well, he retains a solid floor and rebound potential as a coverage-focused defensive back in the right scheme.