The second-year breakout was delayed slightly, but it’s fully engaged now for Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage.
In fact, since Week 10, no safety in the NFL has been better, at least by the grading standards set by Pro Football Focus.
Over the last seven games, including Sunday night’s win over the Tennessee Titans, Savage ranks first in the NFL among safeties in overall grade at PFF. He’s been targeted 16 times over that stretch, allowing just three catches for 57 yards and zero touchdowns while intercepting four passes and breaking up six others. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of 2.3 when targeting Savage since Week 10.
Coach Matt LaFleur believes the right process is finally starting to create big results for a young, talented player.
“I think he’s just trusting what he sees, trusting his eyes,” LaFleur said Sunday night. “I think (defensive backs coach) Jerry Gray does a phenomenal job with him, just always talking to him about making sure his eyes are right, making sure he’s doing his responsibilities. Those plays will come to you. You have to trust it.”
The plays are arriving for Savage more and more.
On Sunday night, Savage intercepted Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill once and dropped what should have been a pick-six. He finished with three pass breakups overall and another elite grade overall from PFF, largely due to his work in coverage.
On the interception, Savage ranged from a deep safety spot to cover A.J. Brown out of the slot. His speed allowed him to track down Brown over the middle and undercut Tannehill’s throw for the pick, which eventually set up a touchdown. On the Titans’ first drive, Savage smothered tight end Jonnu Smith on a deep out route and knocked away the throw. A play later, he ended the drive with a well-timed pressure on third down. Throughout the night, he made at least two solid solo tackles on Titans running back Derrick Henry.
In the second half, Savage jumped another ill-fated Tannehill throw and had a potential pick-six going the other way but couldn’t hang on. The second-year safety has a team-high four interceptions this season, but he’s also dropped two or three more.
“I’m like, hey man, you gotta make those,” LaFleur said, half-jokingly. “Just really proud of him. He’s such a smart player, he’s so athletic. It’s so fun to see a guy work so hard and then start to have the results.”
The Packers haven’t had an elite safety since Nick Collins, who retired following an unfortunate neck injury in 2011. Savage is charting a similar career path as Collins, who flashed immense potential early before eventually blossoming into one of the game’s best safeties. The process might even be sped up for Savage, an All-Rookie pick who is now showcasing elite talent and playmaking ability to close his second season.
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