With The First Pick
Fansided

Championship Sunday: Each remaining NFL team relying on key rookies

By Nicholas McGee

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 01: Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after he picked off a pass by Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 01, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants 31-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 01: Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after he picked off a pass by Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 01, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants 31-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers

Rashan Gary has not yet blossomed into the fearsome pass rusher he certainly has the talent to be, but the Packers must be happy with their early returns on the 2019 rookie class. The defense, not the offense has led the way for the Packers this season, and that is in no short part to the second of two rookies taken in the first round.

Darnell Savage, whom the Packers traded up to take nine picks after Gary, had two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles from the safety position while also breaking up five passes. Between him and 2018 first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander, the future looks very bright in the secondary for Green Bay.

Elgton Jenkins has rapidly developed into a dependable starter at guard after being taken 44th overall in the second round. The Packers may have hoped for more from third-rounder Jace Sternberger, but the experience of competing in the playoffs should aid the growth of a tight end likely penciled in to eventually assume starting responsibilities from Jimmy Graham.

Will this be a coming of age game for Sternberger, or will he be predominantly covered up on the depth chart in this NFC Championship showdown with the San Francisco 49ers?

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