General manger Brian Gutekunst isn't the only one who loves Darnell Savage's fit with the Green Bay Packers. In an article highlighting 15 rookies “who landed with the perfect teams,” ESPN's Matt Bowen listed the former Maryland safety for his ability to play the versatile role Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will ask of him.

“Savage is a guy I would love to coach, and he has the closing speed and versatility at the safety position to produce quickly under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in Green Bay. The range is there for Savage to roam in the post, and he has the play-recognition traits and transition quicks to roll down in coverage — the way he did on the pick-six in the highlight clip below.

Savage will fill the alley in the run game, too. He gets downhill in a hurry. Give me a safety who plays fast and finds the rock. That translates in the NFL, and Pettine can use Savage in a variety of roles to maximize his speed and ball skills.”

Green Bay dealt the 30th overall pick and two fourth-round selections to the Seattle Seahawks during the first round of the 2019 NFL draft to move up to No. 21 in order to take Savage. Though a bit undersized for his position, he compensates with elite athleticism, innate instincts, and a nose for the football that allowed him to pick off eight passes over his final three seasons with the Terrapins.

Savage was named Second Team All-Big 10 as a senior, posting 52 tackles, five and-a-half tackles for loss, and four interceptions. He's poised to start at safety as a rookie next to free agent signee Adrian Amos for the Packers' rebuilt defense under Pettine and first-year head coach Matt LaFleur.