Former Bengal Compares Darnell Savage to This Veteran
After earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors last season as a member of the Maryland Terrapins, the Green Bay Packers selected safety Darnell Savage Jr. with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft. According to NBC Sports Washington, Savage was initially projected to go in the second round of the draft.
However, because of his versatility and the ability to play both safety positions helped raise his stock. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus listed Savage as the second-best prospect at the safety position back in April, and running a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash helps as well.
The Parkers made some changes in their secondary this offseason by adding Adrian Amos in free agency. After trading Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last season and releasing Josh Jones before the 2019 season started. Amos and Savage Jr. were both added to give the secondary a boost.
During the first game of the season against the Chicago Bears, Savage Jr. made his presence felt in pass coverage. He caught the attention of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and NFL commentator Chris Collinsworth.
“Honestly, he a chance to be an Earl Thomas type of player. Sit back and make plays sideline to sideline runs 4.4. He had a quarterback rating against him of 36 by far the best in the country for any safety last year. He is a tremendous player,” said Collinsworth.
That is high praise from Collinsworth in his comparison to Earl Thomas. Thomas is a former Super Bowl champion and a future Hall of Famer. This past offseason, Thomas signed with the Baltimore Ravens after spending his first nine seasons in the NFL as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks would select Thomas with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 draft. On July 31, 2010, the Seattle Seahawks signed him to a five-year deal worth $18.30 million, $11.75 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $500,000.
The Greenbay Packers beat the Bears 10 to 3 on Thursday night at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Packers will play the Minnesota Vikings next week in Greenbay. As for the Bears will be on the road against the Denver Broncos.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
