Chicago Bears: 2019 NFL Draft Prospect Big Board

3. Safety Darnell Savage, Maryland

Height: 5-foot-1

Weight: 198 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds

Bench Press: 11 reps

Vertical Jump: 39.5 inches

3-Cone Drill: 7.03 seconds

Following the NFL Combine, the defensive backs’ stock grew as a whole. The majority of them improved their pre-draft positioning due to the speed they put on display. But, as an overall performance, one of the very best at the Combine was Maryland safety Darnell Savage.

The Bears would be doing themselves a favor by snagging this guy in the third or fourth (if he fell that far) and grooming him for next year. Because Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is essentially on a one-year stint with the Bears and will enter free agency next spring, Chicago knows he will likely get paid elsewhere. Savage would be a strong pick to replace him after learning for one full season.

Savage ran fast and hard at the combine, and we already knew he could hit. He’s quite the athlete, and really the biggest knock on him is his lack of size. Savage’s size would allow him to play more of an unorthodox role if needed, where he might help in the slot on top of playing safety.

As a three-year starter, Savage has a ton of playing experience already and was depended upon highly as a leader of Maryland’s defense. His ball skills are strong and his closing speed is phenomenal. Savage would fit in perfectly with this defensive unit.