![Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) is introduced before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_425,w_3990,h_2244/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k18sv8swnercsrcjvq.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) is introduced before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars have several intriguing options at safety, even if an NFL analyst isn't thrilled about them, but the team's brass will need to sort them out to ensure the best players get on the field next season.
So far, the only safety that is virtually a lock to start is free-agent acquisition Eric Murray. John Shipley of Sports Illustrated reports that that's led the coaching staff to rotate players throughout training camp. Pretty much all of them have a compelling case to get the nod, but one of them is doing his best to separate himself from the bunch.
Veteran Darnell Savage has been close to making plays in training camp, so it wasn't surprising to see head coach Liam Coen heap praise on him after Day 5 of practice.
"He's athletic, he's got range. He's got athleticism; he can run around. Like he's been really good in the meeting rooms with some of the communication," Coen responded when asked what he's seen from Savage (5:22 mark). "It's just a matter of like, it's really hard to evaluate safeties, especially in this setting, because, you know, ultimately, are they going to come down, fill, and make tackles? They are truly called safeties for a reason. They're the last line of defense."
Coen continued, "So when a ball does break out to the second and third levels, are we able to take the proper angles, use the proper leverage, and go actually get the guy on the ground? So that's the hard thing to evaluate out here, but I've been pleased with him so far."
Savage was a first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2019. He joined the Jags on a two-year deal in 2024. Although the former Maryland Terrapin is listed as a safety, though, he was brought in to line up in the slot. The coaching staff ultimately scrapped the plan and moved him to his natural position when Antonio Johnson struggled. Now, he's vying for the starting job next to Murray.
Related: This Jaguars veteran is doing everything right at Jaguars camp (and everyone is noticing)
Why Darnell Savage could win the starting job for the Jaguars
Darnell Savage is facing stiff competition to start, but he certainly has a shot. He's got ample experience, having appeared in 85 games with 82 starts the past six seasons. Then again, the seventh-year veteran finds himself in a four-way battle to seize the spot next to Eric Murray. He'll need to show he's a better option than Andrew Wingard, Antonio Johnson, and rookie Caleb Ransaw.
While Ransaw is making the transition from cornerback to safety, he's got intriguing upside. Then again, he may not be ready to take on a featured role to start the season. On the other hand, both Wingard and Johnson have started games for the Jaguars in the past, so they'll be in the mix. The latter, in particular, showed promise in the slot back in 2023 before moving to safety last year.
Ultimately, the spot next to Eric Murray is still up for grabs several days into training camp, and it's hard to tell who'll seize it. That said, Darnell Savage should feel good about his chances.