Darnell Savage

Darnell Henry Savage Jr. (born July 30, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Savage has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders.

Savage attended Caravel Academy in Bear, Delaware. He suffered a broken femur during the second game of his junior year, ending his season prematurely. As a senior, Savage starred at running back and cornerback, rushing for 1,298 yards and 13 touchdowns, and recording 54 tackles. A 3-star recruit, Savage committed to the University of Maryland to play college football.

Savage played at Maryland from 2015 to 2018. During his career, he had 182 tackles, eight interceptions, one sack and two touchdowns. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as a junior in 2017, and was named Second-Team All-Big Ten as a senior in 2018.

Savage participated in the Senior Bowl prior to the draft. NFL analyst Bucky Brooks had Savage ranked as the third best safety in the draft. ESPN analyst Jeff Legwold ranked Savage as the fifth best safety (48th overall) and Sports Illustrated ranked him the sixth best (50th overall) amongst safeties. Former NFL executive Gil Brandt had Savage ranked seventh (87th overall) amongst all prospects at his position. NFL draft analysts projected him to be a late first to second round pick. His 4.36 in the 40-yard dash impressed NFL scouts at the NFL Combine.

"Savage will offer an interesting litmus test for how teams value instincts, IQ and coverage quickness against size. He sports a compact frame with a muscular build and was actually bigger at the combine than some scouts expected. His sticky cover skills and ability to close on throws from all areas of the field are valuable commodities that should not be undervalued. Savage should be targeted as a Day 2 hybrid defender offering early starting potential as a two-high zone or slot cover talent."

The Green Bay Packers selected Savage in the first round (21st overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. Fearful Savage would not be available at 30th overall, the Green Bay Packers orchestrated a trade and acquired the first round (21st overall) pick from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a first round pick (30th overall) and two fourth round picks (114th and 118th overall). He was the first safety and defensive back drafted in 2019. He was drafted as the heir apparent to replace Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Jermaine Whitehead at free safety. The Seattle Seahawks would go on to trade all three of the picks acquired.

"He's obviously a premiere athlete. He's been an impact player for Maryland for a number of years. He's able to close the gap, from centerfield and the hash. He's aggressive, physical player who can take the ball away. He fits what we're trying to do on the back end"

On May 2, 2019, the Green Bay Packers signed Savage to a four–year, $12.51 million contract that was fully guaranteed and included an initial signing bonus of $7.12 million.