Green Bay Packers: Grades for every 2019 NFL Draft pick

Round 1, Pick 21: Darnell Savage Jr., S, Maryland

Grade: B+

The Packers weren’t shy about their love for Darnell Savage Jr. Green Bay made Savage the first safety selected in the 2019 draft, trading up from pick No. 30 with the Seattle Seahawks to grab him. Savage figures to be a do-it-all playmaker for the Packers secondary.

While at Maryland, Savage converted from cornerback to safety early in his career. You wouldn’t know it by where he lined up, though. Last season, Savage spent the majority of his snaps as a slot cornerback. His positional designation still had him as a safety, but he showcased the ability to line up anywhere in the secondary.

Safety was unarguably the biggest need for the Packers entering the 2019 draft – especially after losing Kentrell Brice and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The only serviceable safety left on the roster before the draft was new signing Adrian Amos, who figures to line up as a strong safety but also shows positional versatility.

The Packers got an excellent cover man and overall athlete in Savage (4.36-second 40-yard dash), but get dinged from an A- to a B+ for having to give up two fourth-rounders in a deep draft class. That said, Brian Gutekunst stated “I know for a fact we would not have gotten him at 30.” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted back, “He’s right.”