NFL.com analyst, Bucky Brooks, placed the Packers #21 pick, Safety Darnell Savage, at #9 with a ranking based on each team’s needs and what was available at the time. You can see the full list here: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001028979/article/2019-nfl-draft-ten-best-fits-between-team-and-draft-pick
The analyst went on to say the following about Savage:
Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has an intriguing chess piece at his disposal with Savage. The Maryland standout is a dynamic safety with the capacity to align at free safety, strong safety or nickel corner in a base or nickel defense.
ESPN.com notes how risky of a pick Rashan Gary was in their coverage of the Packers’ 2019 draft:
This is a risky pick for two reasons: injury history and a lack of production. Gary played through a shoulder injury that was reported as a torn labrum, although Gary denied that Thursday, and he had just 3.5 sacks in nine games last season for the Wolverines. In short, he was an injured underachiever.
Andy Benoit with SI.com assigned the following grades to each pick:
Round 1, Pick 12:
Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Andy Benoit’s grade: B
Round 1, Pick 21:
Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
Andy Benoit’s grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 12 (No. 44 overall):
Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
Andy Benoit’s grade: B
Round 3, Pick 11 (No. 75 overall):
Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Andy Benoit’s grade: A
Overall, I think Savage is my favorite pick from the draft for the team and seems to be popular with other fans as well. The dude is fast and has an impressive vertical – but most important of all, he will fit in well and should start contributing to the team this coming season more so than some other picks. Mike Pettine seems to be happy with both of the 1st round picks so I can only trust his judgement at this point. Real Talk: We have ourselves a potentially Top 10 Defense for next year and that is something to get excited about.
Packers sign undrafted free agent QB Manny Wilkins from ASU
ASU QB Manny Wilkins is signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent while DL Dougladson Subtyl is signing with the Cleveland Browns. Nice to see them get an opportunity. @ASUFootball
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) April 28, 2019
A golden opportunity 🌟
Manny Wilkins will sign as an UDFA with the Green Bay Packers! 🔱x🧀 pic.twitter.com/2TdP9ZuhLK
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) April 28, 2019
Here is a complete list of Packers UDFA moves:
CB Nate Brooks: North Texas
TE Davis Koppenhaver: Duke
QB Manny Wilkins: Arizona State
OT Yoshuah Nijman: Virginia Tech
LB Randy Ramsey: Arkansas
DE Greg Roberts: Baylor
DB Javien Hamilton: Ole Miss
WR/CB Kabion Ento: Colorado
LB Curtis Bolton: Oklahoma
WR Matt Eaton: Iowa State
QB Taylor Cornelius: Oklahoma State
OL Larry Williams: Oklahoma State
Packers Assign #52 to #12 pick Rashan Gary
While Clay Matthews’ departure was not a shock to most that follow the team, there still are a lot of fans with an emotional attachment to the guy. Kind of a needlessly distracting move on the part of the Packers. While the number certainly doesn’t belong to Matthews, it just came off as a poor move. Too soon? Let us know in the comments below.
Clay Matthews had an amusing response to the issue himself:
😑😑😑 The body’s not even cold yet lol
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) April 29, 2019
Good to see him keep a sense of humor about the decision. Again, it’s not his property, but the move looked a bit tacky, IMO.
Here is a complete list of numbers being assigned to the new drafts:
Jersey #️⃣ for the 2019 #PackersDraft class
5️⃣2️⃣ @RashanAGary
2️⃣6️⃣ @darnellsavage_
7️⃣4️⃣ @Big_E_14
8️⃣7️⃣ @_Jstern
9️⃣6️⃣ @BucketsAll_Day
2️⃣9️⃣ @Versatiledarr
2️⃣2️⃣ @DexterW_22
4️⃣4️⃣ @summerTYme42 #GoPackGo— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 29, 2019
Packers waive G Nico Saragusa:
The Packers have waived G Nico Siragusa, per source. He was signed off of the Ravens practice squad in December of 2018.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 29, 2019
Lol, I wonder who photoshopped that pic of Gary wearing #52? Probably Murphy himself. Wishful thinking. I’d say #53 would have been a wiser choice given the attachment people have to Matthews but they probably don’t want to tie the idea of Nick Perry to another 1st round converted OLB. Hell, their last names even rhyme.
Clay is right. The body isn’t even cold yet.
I don’t think Clay is upset about his number being issued to a rookie. Clay understands there are 99 numbers and so should fans. 6 are retired. 2 are unofficially retired. That leaves one number not used, and that does not even consider that certain numbers are required to be assigned by position. Those certain 28 numbers slated for linebackers also are shared with centers, long snappers, TEs, RBs, D lineman, and corner backs. It is a juggling act that will see some new players change numbers after final cuts. Gary may change numbers later. Kendall Donnerson has Perry’s old number. So that number was taken before Gary was drafted as were many of the linebacker numbers.