Safeties are asked to do more than ever in today’s NFL. Which 11 safeties are best equipped to handle those challenges?
In today’s NFL, safeties are tasked to do more than ever before. We can see this from the safeties that are coming into the league from college, as nearly all of them are box/slot/free defenders as opposed to the old school free/strong splits, or interchangeable standard safety roles. In a league where defenses call more dime than base, and nickel is really the new base, you’d have to be quite something as a deep-third defender or box enforcer to have that be the only thing on your resume.
Denver’s Justin Simmons, the top player on this year’s list, played two snaps on the defensive line last season, 319 in the box, 619 at free safety, 144 in the slot, and four at outside cornerback. That’s the order of the day. So, basically, all you have to do to be a safety of optimal value in today’s NFL is to cover the deep third with great range and accuracy, take away short and intermediate stuff as a flat and slot defender, blow up run fits from the box, and blitz credibly from the defensive line.
It’s not an easy job against offenses that are more diverse and explosive in the passing game than ever before, which makes the best in the game even more impressive. Here are our top 11 safeties in the NFL today.
(All metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated).
Since Week 10, no safety has been better than Darnell Savage of the Green Bay Packers.
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.
The Detroit Lions (5-7) Week 14 opponent, the Green Bay Packers (9-3), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game.
The Detroit Lions (5-7) Week 14 opponent, the Green Bay Packers (9-3), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game and while 15 players showed up on this week’s injury report, just five are listed with an injury designation.
Here’s a look at the Packers’ full injury designations list.
Injury status
Player
Position
Injury
Designation
Simon Stepaniak
G
Knee
OUT
Equanimeous St. Brown
WR
Knee/Concussion
Questionable
Malik Taylor
WR
Hamstring
Questionable
Jake Sternberger
TE
Concussion
OUT
Darnell Savage
S (starter)
Groin
Questionable
Savage was healthy most of the week but popped up on Friday’s practice report with a groin injury. Like most late-week injuries, this situation is worth monitoring, especially considering Savage’s backup, safety Raven Greene, was recently placed on injured reserve.
If Savage can’t play, that’s a big boost for Lions’ T.J. Hockenson, who is currently the third most productive tight end in the NFL right now.
The Packers receiving group is banged up. In addition to St. Brown, Taylor, and Sternberger showing up on the injury report, starting wide receiver Allen Lazard was limited in practice all week with a core muscle injury, and starting tight end Marcedes Lewis was limited on Wednesday, didn’t practice on Thursday, before returning to a full practice on Friday. Both starters are expected to play — thus no injury designation — but they may be limited on the field.
Stepaniak, who tore his ACL in college last December, was just activated from the NFI list (Non-football injury) to the active roster this week. It may take some time before he is ready to return and has been ruled out for this game.
Missing a player who has been out most of the season may not seem like a big deal but the Packer’s offensive line is dealing with some injuries. Starting guard Lane Taylor has been on injured reserve the majority of the season, starting center Corey Linsley was just placed on injured reserve, while replacement starting guard/center Lucas Patrick and starting right tackle Rick Wagner were both limited all week.
If any of the Packer’s linemen can’t go, former Michigan Wolverines’ Ben Braden and Jon Runyan are next in line on the depth chart.
The Packers got two key interceptions from S Darnell Savage during Sunday night’s win over the Bears.
Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage intercepted two passes off of Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky on Sunday night. Both of Savage’s takeaways helped lead the Packers to a 41-25 win over the Bears and also widen their lead in the NFC North in the process.
Savage wasn’t necessarily having a bad year in 2020, but he appeared to turn a corner in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. We took a closer look at Savage’s film from that game here, as it was one of his better performances on the season.
Against San Francisco, he made a nice play on a ball that should have been intercepted and possibly returned for a touchdown.
Dating back to his rookie season in 2019, Savage has shown flashes of being a potential playmaker for Green Bay’s defense, but those plays haven’t come to fruition. Then, on Sunday night against the Bears, he became the playmaker they expect him to be.
Early on in the second quarter, Trubisky took a shot deep toward the end zone looking for wide receiver Darnell Mooney but overthrew him. Savage read it the whole way as he outran Mooney to get under the ball for a pick in stride. The turnover resulted in a touchback for the Packers, and ended up being a 14-point swing. On the ensuing drive, the offense marched down the field for their third touchdown of the game to go up 20-3.
When discussing the interception during his postgame interview, Savage said it was a play the defense had been ready for.
“We actually got that play earlier in the year,” Savage said. “People always say it’s a copycat league – stuff that works teams are always going to find a way to get back to it. I had a feeling they were going to take a shot, and when I turned and I saw the ball was in the air, I just tried to run as fast as I could and get under it.”
“It ended up working out.”
AP Photo/Matt Ludtke
On his second pick, Savage was playing underneath in robber coverage rather than deep. Trubisky tried to hit Anthony Miller on a deep crossing route but ended up throwing into triple coverage. It was a bad decision by Trubisky, and play Savage made on the ball was reminiscent of former safety Nick Collins. While the ball was in the air, Savage got his head turned and made an acrobatic overhead interception.
Again, the offense scored off the turnover. Fourteen of the team’s 41 points in a 16-point win were in large part because of Savage.
Later, Savage would leave the game with a back injury and then return shortly after. Savage said he suffered the injury while falling on his back for the second interception.
According to Savage, he would get treatment right away and then take things day by day. The prognosis didn’t sound serious, but this is not the best time for the defense to be missing one of their key playmakers.
Some will say this performance came against Trubisky, so take it was a grain of salt, but this is the type of game Packers fans have been looking for from Savage. It showed why Green Bay traded up in the 2019 draft to take him in the first round.
Through a little over 1.5 seasons, Savage has made an impact from a variety of positions, whether it be in the slot, near the line of scrimmage, in robber, or deep safety. His versatility has been huge on defense and will enable him to make more plays like the ones he did against the Bears.
With the Jags taking a trip to Lambeau, Jags Wire got a little bit of intel on the Packers through Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have arrived to the hardest point of their 2020 schedule and it will start with a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.
At the midway point of the season, both teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Of course, the 1-7 Jags are enduring a seven-game skid and are in last place in the AFC South while the Packers are leading their division with a 6-2 record.
To help get some intel on Aaron Rodgers and company, we had a chat with Packers Wire editor Zach Kruse this week. Here are five questions he was kind enough to answer concerning the red hot Packers:
Jaguars Wire: Matt LaFleur is someone Jags fans are familiar with after his tenure with the Titans. How has he been for the Packers since becoming their head coach?
Zach Kruse: The Packers have won 20 of the 26 games coached by LaFleur over the last two seasons, so his career in Green Bay is off to a terrific start. He’s done a commendable job remaking the team in his image, and his new-age offensive scheme has been a big hit, especially with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The partnership between the two has been fantastic. Also, the Packers have scored on every single opening drive this season, which is usually a good barometer of coaching ability, especially for an offensive-focused coach, and they haven’t lost back-to-back games in either of his first two seasons. The hiring has been a big success so far.
JW: Aaron Rodgers is one of the best to ever do it obviously and will be for the next few years. Could you discuss the season he is having so far?
ZK: Rodgers said all offseason that he was finally comfortable in the offense, and it’s shown up in a big way on the field. He’s thrown 24 touchdown passes and is right in the hunt for the MVP at the midway point of 2020.
LaFleur’s offense has allowed him opportunities to get the ball out of his hands quick and on time but also opportunities to attack down the field. It’s been a good mix. Additionally, Rodgers has been deadly in the red zone. He’s also avoiding turnover plays (just two interceptions) and sacks. Through eight games, Rodgers leads the NFL in passer rating and is on pace for what would be a career-high 48 touchdown passes.
JW: What are some weaknesses with this Packers team that the Jags may can exploit?
ZK: The run defense is an obvious place to start. Physical, run-first teams have given the Packers problems in recent years. The personnel at defensive line and inside linebacker isn’t great, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine generally prefers having more defensive backs on the field to protect against the pass.
The Jaguars will have to run the ball effectively to win the game on Sunday. Shorten the game, protect the ball, and keep Rodgers on the sideline. It might not be the most efficient football but it’s certainly one way to pressure one of the Packers’ stress points.
JW: Who are some under-the-radar names to watch from this Packers team on offense and defense?
ZK: On offense, watch for RB Tyler Ervin and TE Robert Tonyan. The Packers love using Ervin as the fly motion man in LaFleur’s scheme to stress defenses horizontally before the snap. He turned 12 touches into 72 yards against the 49ers and could play a big role again on Sunday. Tonyan is a big-play tight end with five touchdown catches in eight games. He can win down the field in this offense, especially if teams focus coverage on Davante Adams.
On defense, keep an eye out for safety Darnell Savage. He nearly had an interception of Nick Mullens last week. Expect the Packers to use him to prevent big plays vertically but also to help against the run. He might be the fastest player on the roster.
JW: What’s your final predictions for the outcome of the game?
ZR: The forecasted conditions at Lambeau Field for Sunday are starting to give me pause. It could be wet, windy and potentially even cold.
The Packers didn’t handle poor conditions a couple of weeks ago against the Vikings, and more bad weather could help level the playing field on Sunday. I still like the Packers to win, probably comfortably. If conditions are manageable, the Packers could score a lot of points on the league’s 31st ranked scoring defense.
Packers S Darnell Savage isn’t having a huge second season, but he flashed with a few standout plays against the 49ers.
Pretty much any way you look at it, Packers safety Darnell Savage is having a rocky second year in the NFL. After a rookie season in which he was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team, many thought he would emerge as a key contributor in 2020. However, missed tackles and few impactful plays have been the story of Savage’s season.
Savage’s play has been a letdown through seven games this year, but Green Bay still should have a ton of respect for his ability to be a difference-maker in the future. His playmaking was one of the main reasons why they traded up during the 2019 draft to select him. Last season, Savage was a staple on defense, starting in 14 games. He also flashed some of his playmaking ability, totaling two interceptions and five defended passes.
Last year, Savage was very much a chess piece on defense. At different points throughout the season, Savage was either at free safety, slot corner, or in the box. And regardless of where he was on the field, Savage rarely looked like a rookie.
However, he hasn’t continued his ascension in Year 2. 2020 didn’t exactly start well when Savage had a blown coverage that allowed a 37-yard touchdown to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen in the season opener. He then had one of the worst games of his career in Week 2 facing the Detroit Lions. Pro Football Focus counted three missed tackles.
This isn’t to say Savage has been a liability this season. In Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, he logged a season-high seven tackles. He followed up that performance with six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended a week later against the Atlanta Falcons. However, by all accounts, 2020 has been an inconsistent year for the Packers’ starting safety.
Savage did show some flashes during Green Bay’s latest victory over the San Francisco 49ers. If Thursday’s game against the reigning NFC champion is any indication, Savage is primed to have a strong second half in 2020.
Such good recognition and anticipation by Savage. Should have been an interception. pic.twitter.com/Wpr36EMrtS
Obviously, this needs to be an interception, but it is still a good play. Savage’s eyes are glued to Nick Mullens, who is keyed in on the slant route to tight end Jordan Reed. It looks like Savage is in robber coverage, or maybe he made an extremely aggressive play on the ball. Whatever the case may be, he showcased great processing skills and athleticism to nearly come away with the pick. Although, first-rounders typically make this play as this is probably one Savage would like to have back.
Another look at Savage playing robber. He’s so quick to react. Pettine has to let him stay aggressive. pic.twitter.com/l5pesnDdYF
Here is another play where it appears Savage is playing robber. Again, his eyes are on Mullens who is looking for a quick read to his left. Savage undercuts the first route and closes in on the second in-breaker where the ball is going. This is another great read and reaction from Savage. As many times as the Packers can afford to, Savage needs to be playing robber. It is in this coverage that he is most dangerous.
Notice again where Savage is on the field. Mike Pettine did a great job letting his explosive safety be aggressive and it paid off. He completely blows this run call up and the result is a loss for the offense.
If Savage can clean up the missed tackles and turn drops into interceptions, he is a Pro-Bowl caliber player. Right now, he still lacks consistency, however, almost every week he makes a play that shows why the Packers think so highly of him. As long as Savage can carry this for the remainder of the season, his second year will take on a whole different outlook.
Why Packers second-year safety Darnell Savage could be an ideal breakout candidate in2020.
When the Green Bay Packers traded up to select Maryland safety Darnell Savage with the second of their two first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, it was clear they felt they were getting a special player.
With a solid rookie debut, Savage provided evidence to support that notion.
In 14 games last year, the rookie safety accumulated 55 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five passes defended. While none of those numbers are particularly eye-catching, some of the plays Savage put on film last season absolutely were.
Darnell Savage broke on this so fast that he actually stops on it cos he was going to overrun the play and had to start back up when Trubisky threw it anyway.
It's so much fun seeing @darnellsavage_ playing downhill, full-throttle football from the deep safety position. He's completely fearless and is going to be a big-time player in this league for a long time. pic.twitter.com/WUwqImDu4k
His most impressive performance last year was arguably Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. In the second game of his young NFL career, Savage recorded five tackles, a pass breakup (which turned into a Preston Smith interception) and a forced fumble.
He also had some lows as a rookie – namely, the NFC Championship Game vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Overall, though, he showed plenty of reason for optimism.
In Year 2, much more will be expected from Savage. Based on what we saw last year and what we’ve heard from teammates and coaches this offseason, there’s little reason to think he won’t deliver.
Why he’ll break out:
Savage’s superior blend of athleticism, football instincts and positional versatility make him a potential NFL superstar. Whether the Packers need him to play slot cornerback, free or strong safety in a two-high look, single-high safety or box safety, he can do it. With 4.36 speed and elite click-and-close, his sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability is almost unlimited.
Now that he’s had a year to learn defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s playbook, Savage should have an increased comfort level with the scheme and his roles within it. That should allow him to play faster in 2020.
Savage has good veterans to learn from in fellow safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Tramon Williams. Having experienced players who can help him identify and correct his mistakes as well as teach him the tricks of the trade will lessen his learning curve.
Savage will benefit from having impact players around him. With Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Kenny Clark and possibly Rashan Gary applying pressure up front, he shouldn’t need to hold up in coverage for too long. Having a reliable veteran presence like Amos alongside him at safety and a shutdown cornerback like Jaire Alexander to corral the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver will also make his job easier.
The Packers defensive scheme will put him in position to succeed. Pettine loves to move his safeties up, down and all around the defensive formation. That will play perfectly with one of Savage’s biggest strengths: his versatility.
Why he might not break out:
Progression isn’t always linear. Savage’s play could stay at a similar level to his rookie year or he could regress next season. A breakout season might not be in the cards until 2021 or later.
Missed tackles and poor pursuit angles could remain an issue (had a missed tackle rate of nearly 13% last season).
Packers fans should be excited about the safety duo of Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, a potentially perfect pair.
The Green Bay Packers shocked many in the football world during the 2020 season, bouncing back from back-to-back playoff-less seasons to win 13 games, capture the NFC North title and advance to the NFC title game during Matt LaFleur’s first season as coach.
Now, the Packers will go into the 2020 season with big expectations.
Over the next few days, we’ll run down a list of 10 different things Packers fans should be excited about as the 2020 season nears. The series starts with the team’s promising safety duo:
Amos, Savage could be the perfect pair
Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) celebrates his interception with Darnell Savage (26) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
If all goes right, the Packers could have one of the NFL’s best safety duos in 2020. Adrian Amos is an experienced and reliable veteran who is both physical against the run and capable in most coverage situations, while Darnell Savage is an exciting young blend of pure speed, playmaking instincts and positional versatility. Together, they could make a terrific duo, with Amos’ know-how and unshakable dependability helping balance out Savage’s athleticism and aggressiveness.
They can both play deep or near the line. Amos handled some snaps as a subpackage linebacker last season, while Savage is capable of playing as a single-high safety or down in the slot. The key to taking the next step is Savage, who should be more comfortable in the scheme and playing next to Amos in his second season. Playing faster and more consistently could turn him into a star, especially if he’s allowed more playmaking opportunities in the slot and closer to the action.
The operating center of Mike Pettine’s defense, Amos and Savage are a talented pair who should be capable of both preventing big plays and creating their own this season – making them an exciting duo with the potential to help the Packers defense take another step forward in 2020.
Jaire Alexander, Kevin King and Darnell Savage give the Packers a potential-packed trio in the secondary for 2020.
The Green Bay Packers have an opportunity to produce one of the NFL’s elite passing defenses in 2020. Not only because Mike Pettine’s group has a disruptive pass rush with at least three good individual rushers, but also due to a young, ascending secondary with the potential to take a star turn this season.
The position group is brimming with talent, and it now has a leader – in veteran defensive backs coach Jerry Gray – with a long track record of developing top talent.
First, let’s highlight the players. It’s always about the players. In Adrian Amos, the Packers have the ideal veteran safety who can always be counted on to be in the right spot. That’s important. But it’s what the Packers have built around Amos that provides so much of the immense potential for 2020.
Jaire Alexander, Kevin King and Darnell Savage have as much collective talent as any young secondary trio in the NFL. If they can improve, both individually and collectively, the Packers will undoubtedly have one of the game’s best secondaries in 2020.
Alexander has produced back-to-back encouraging seasons and looks primed to take the significant step from consistently good to consistently very good in his third year. Top cornerbacks almost always have a rare mix of athleticism, confidence and instincts, and Alexander has it. Of all the Packers’ young players, Alexander looks most capable of becoming a first-time Pro Bowler in 2020.
King is a far more polarizing player and may never reach Alexander’s individual coverage ability on a down to down basis, but he stayed healthy and created a highly productive season in terms of getting his hands on the football in 2019 (five interceptions, 15 pass breakups). Uniquely long and athletic, King is about to enter a contract year and will be extra motivated to produce another good season in 2020.
Savage could be the difference-maker for the entire group. He will combine the window-shrinking speed and playmaking instincts of his impressive skillset with the experience gained as a rookie and the comfort level all players feel in their second season. The Packers believe he’s going to play faster and make fewer mistakes in 2020. If he’s more consistent and creates more impact plays, especially if provided more opportunities to play near the line of scrimmage and in the slot, Savage could enjoy the kind of second-year breakthrough that could put him firmly on the national radar as one of the NFL’s best young safeties.
In 2019, the Packers were a good-to-great passing defense even while incorporating two new safeties – Amos and Savage – into the scheme. Last month, Pettine mentioned how much more comfortable the two safeties – whom he referred to as the defense’s “nerve center” – feel in the scheme.
The addition of Gray adds another layer to the developmental potential in the secondary. A former Pro Bowler with decades of experience teaching cornerbacks and safeties, Gray is confident he has the knowledge and tools to take the talent in Green Bay to another level. His coaching past suggests he could be the key to maximizing the Pro Bowl talent of Alexander and Savage while also helping King play more consistently.
The Packers’ pass-rush is coming off a dominant season and should be a foundational piece of the defense in 2020. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith disrupt from the edges, with Kenny Clark – the most dominant pass-rushing nose tackle in football – consistently crashing the interior. But rushing the quarterback is just one piece of a two-part puzzle. Defenses that combine disruptive pass-rushing players with a strong collection of talent in the secondary can create a smothering effect against the pass.
Although the Packers do have a question mark in the slot entering 2020, they have the emerging talent on the perimeter and at safety to complete the puzzle.
The Packers have other young players in the secondary, including cornerbacks Chandon Sullivan and Josh Jackson, but going from great to elite will require a collective jump from Alexander, King and Savage, the three young talents capable of powering the secondary’s star turn in 2020.
Mike Pettine isn’t the only one with big expectations for Darnell Savage in 2020. Teammate Adrian Amos sees big things for the Packers safety this season.
Teammate Adrian Amos pointed to an increased comfort level in his surroundings and a greater understanding of the defense as the main reasons why second-year safety Darnell Savage can take a “big jump” for the Green Bay Packers in 2020.
A first-round pick and an All-Rookie Team selection in 2019, Savage will enter Year 2 with an opportunity to develop into a true difference-maker for Mike Pettine’s defense.
“The playbook, knowing what to expect to the following season. Being around your team and your situation, coming into Year 2, we have the same secondary, he knows where I’m going to be, who the corners are. He can make a big jump in that way,” Amos said during a conference call with reporters this week.
Savage started 16 games and played nearly 1,000 snaps as a rookie, including the postseason. Not only do the Packers return Amos and both starting cornerbacks (Jaire Alexander, Kevin King) for 2020, but Savage will be one year more comfortable with everything involved with playing the position within Pettine’s scheme.
Savage, who doesn’t turn 23 until July, produced 55 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 2019.
Like Amos, Pettine is also working under the expectation that Savage will enjoy another big step in development in 2020. He saw his rookie safety develop rapidly over the course of the 2019 season as he adjusted to the speed of the game and quickly figured out all the responsibilities required of him from the safety position. Now, Pettine can see a greater comfort level and communication ability from both Amos and Savage, the two safeties who represent the “nerve center” of the defense.
“He made great strides as the year went on. The sky is the limit for Darnell,” Pettine said.
