Packers trade up with Seahawks to select Darnell Savage

The Green Bay Packers traded up to the No. 21 overall pick in a deal with the Seattle Seahawks to select safety Darnell Savage out of Maryland.

Seattle acquired the 30th pick and a pair of fourth-round selections (No. 114 and No. 118 overall) in return.

The Packers made Savage their second addition of the opening round, as they used the 12th overall selection on Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary.

Green Bay gave a big-money deal to Adrian Amos in free agency and now has a heralded rookie to pair with the former Chicago Bears standout in the back of its secondary.

Savage racked up seven interceptions, including four last season, over his four-year career at Maryland.

School: Maryland
Height: 5-11
Weight: 198 lbs

Strengths

• Great athlete who can play all over
• Phenomenal instincts in coverage and against run
• Playmaker with range and ball skills in passing game
• Fast in pursuit and takes good angles to ball
• Picks up speed coming downhill and delivers some big hits
• Can roll down and match up against receivers in slot

Weaknesses

• Undersized for safety position
• Play strength is lacking
• Will struggle against big targets in man-to-man situations
• Tackle efficiency suffers without full-speed approach
• Not able to get off blocks in run game

Bottom line

One of several phenomenal athletes in this safety class, Savage is an incredibly interesting, high-ceiling prospect. His ability to make an impact in coverage - either as an instinctual zone defender or split out in man coverage - gives him the opportunity to move around into various roles. Size is a factor here, but he can be a productive run defender flying downhill with some speed behind him.

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