Green Bay Packers: Top 5 Breakout candidates for 2020 season
By Joe Kipp
4. Darnell Savage, S
The Packers’ secondary is comprised of young, promising potential. Part of that potential includes safety Darnell Savage, who’s a prime candidate to have a breakout season in 2020. The 2019 first-round draft choice had an up and down rookie season, but a full year in an NFL offseason regimen should allow him to become faster and stronger – both physically and mentally.
Savage was much better at the start of his rookie season. He had arguably his worst game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Improving as a tackler in the run game will be key for Savage as he enters his second season as a pro.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has hinted this offseason that Savage could play more in the slot as a nickel cornerback this coming season. Green Bay’s primary nickel corner from 2019, Tramon Williams, is currently a free agent.
Savage has the skill-set to be a do-it-all playmaker at either safety or cornerback. His cover skills allow him to play all over the formation. In college at Maryland, he played snaps at every position in the secondary. The Packers will need him to take a big step forward in 2020 for the defense to be successful.