Two of the Green Bay Packers’ top three picks in the 2019 NFL draft were named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie team.
Guard Elgton Jenkins, the 44th overall pick, and safety Darnell Savage, the 21st overall pick, both made the team at their respective positions.
Jenkins, who took over as a starter in Week 3, graded out at PFF as both the NFL’s top rookie guard and a top-10 left guard in the NFL. He didn’t allow a sack despite playing 571 pass-blocking snaps. His career is just beginning, but Jenkins looks like a long-term starter and potential Pro Bowl player.
Savage missed three games with an ankle injury and was up and down at times, but his playmaking ability and speed in coverage shined through. He finished his rookie season with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups. He gave up a passer rating of 71.1 into his coverage and finished with a top-30 coverage grade among NFL safeties.
The Packers went into the offseason with clear needs at both guard and safety. Jenkins and Savage, along with veterans Billy Turner and Adrian Amos, helped solve issues at both positions.
While outside linebacker Rashan Gary didn’t make the All-Rookie team and was quiet for much of his first season, he flashed disruptive ability late in the year and could be an important part of the edge-rushing rotation for the Packers as they enter the postseason. While Jenkins and Savage were immediately thrust into starting roles, Gary has been afforded time to develop behind veterans Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.