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A four-year contributor and three-year starter at Maryland, Darnell Savage Jr. is rising up big boards thanks to a strong NFL Combine where he ran the second-fastest 40. Though a bit undersized at below 200 pounds, he was stout against the run with nine tackles for loss in college and accompanied that with eight career interceptions, including two Pick 6s. Allowed just a 36.0 passer rating against him. Was arguably better as a junior for the Terrapins.
Size
5-11, 198 pounds
Combine notables
40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds (2nd at position)
Bench: 11 reps (3rd worst at position)
Vertical: 39.5 inches (3rd at position)
Broad jump: 126 inches (5th at position)
3-cone drill: 7.03 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.14 seconds (T6th at position)
What the analysts say
“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.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
“Darnell Savage projects favorably as a Cover 2 safety in the NFL. Savage has the needed athletic skills to be a starting defender in the NFL, although he'll need to be protected from his own aggressive mentality and learn some tackles don't need to be made. Early role should feature a ton of special teams and being implemented in sub-packages. Higher ceiling prospect in a thin Safety group, Savage possesses all the tools needed to be an eventual starter and play at a high level.” – Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network
What PFF says
-Top 25 percent in run-stop percentage
-6th in coverage
[caption id=attachment_48075" align="alignnone" width="706]
Chart via Pro Football Focus Draft Guide[/caption]
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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
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