Cowboys draft prospect: Safety Darnell Savage

by Brett Harper

However, the Rams sport confirmed why Jeff Heath couldn’t remember as the opposite number one safety. Dallas desires a fearless run defender with sufficient versatility to play in bypass insurance. As the Cowboys appear to finish their defense after a sturdy displaying in 2018, safety is one area they’re trying to improve. Xavier Woods showed the remaining year that he’s more than succesful as part of that equation.

Maryland’s Darnell Savage seems to fit that mold flawlessly. He extra than lives as much as his name as he is a vicious hitter who takes pride in beginning touch and bringing down the ball-carrier. He typically takes proper angles and frequently lowers his shoulder to use his complete body to put the lumber on opposing players.

It becomes surprising that Savage didn’t have a higher quantity of bench press reps at the combine (he was 1/3-lowest among safeties), as Savage performs with an at-instances overwhelming quantity of electricity. He does a good job of dropping blocks via natural strength and bursting through to get to the ball.

But Savage’s bodily play fashion doesn’t stop there. He transfers it to pass coverage as nicely. Whereas maximum of the safeties on this class can be great run defenders have average coverage competencies, Savage shows the potential to be triumphant with regularity in deep sector insurance. Woods is the higher unmarried-excessive protection between him and Woods; however, putting Savage back there in that function isn’t as big a chance as it’s miles with others.

Savage has an electric-powered burst out of his stance whilst in the region to react to the ball quickly. This has helped him become a ball hawk in his time at Maryland, as evidenced via his 8 interceptions in three years. When the ball is inside the air, Savage will play for the pick 99% of the time. It’s this aggressiveness that’d caused his surprising stats, and his potential to transition to a runner after making the interception; he averaged 19.1 yards according to interception return in college, is only a cherry at the top.

Darnell Savage

However, Savage’s largest weak point is his electricity. While it’s admirable that Savage always is going for the big play or large hit, and whilst it works, it’s definitely a sport changer, the alternative facet of factors is that Savage can now and again be too competitive and wind up out of control. Sometimes he’ll cross for the hit so difficult that he misses the address, or he’ll whiff on the interception and give up a massive capture as a substitute.

He’ll need to work on something at the following degree, specifically playing the ball inside the air. He has instincts that give him the potential to come to be a exceptional starting protection. However, he wishes to rein in those instincts just a bit and grow to be a more cerebral participant. In Dallas, Savage would be working with one of the qualities protecting backs coaches in Kris Richard, which might help him attain stated potential.

Savage could cross everywhere from the early 2nd round to somewhere in the 1/3 spherical. If the Cowboys need him, they may need to use their 58th select if he is nevertheless to be had. Savage is a chunk of an increase or bust prospect; however, with the right coaching, he can be a great safety. Dallas might be the suitable situation.

Related Posts