Tag: Calen Bullock Draft

Texans DB Calen Bullock named to PFWA All-Rookie Team

Calen Bullock is earning his flowers after a dominant rookie season with the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans won’t come away with a top-three draft class in 2024, but they added foundational pieces. Kamari Lassiter should be a stable No. 2 corner for at least three more seasons opposite Derek Stingley Jr.

Blake Fisher should remain at right tackle for the 2025 season and could blossom into a Pro Bowl talent. Even Cade Stover flashed as a quality No. 2 tight end.

But Callen Bullock was the do-it-all safety drawing rave reviews from voters on Tuesday as the 2024 season winds down.

The Pro Football Writers of America named Bullock a first-team defensive back of the 2024 All-Rookie team following a breakout season on the backend. Lassiter, who arguably was the top rookie corner, was snubbed for Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean.

A third-round pick out of USC, Bullock improved as a tackler while flashing in closing speed to ill-advised throws. He led all rookies with five interceptions and recorded 11 pass breakups.

“To see a young player like him continue to ascend to get better, it’s pretty cool to watch. And any time the football goes up, I’m looking on the sideline like, ‘Man, did they try him again?’ He has that knack for the ball,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this month. “It’s something you can’t coach. Some guys naturally just find the football and Calen is one of those guys.”

Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio continue to impress with headline additions over the last two drafts. The third-round hit rate continues with Bullock, who joins cornerstone players selected on Day 2 in wide receiver Tank Dell, linebacker Christian Harris and receiver Nico Collins.

With the young playmakers and defensive studs spread throughout the roster, the Texans are set up for long-term success thanks to these two classes.

A pair of Texans DBs land on ESPN’s All-Rookie team

Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock both have earned another accolade during their breakout rookie season with the Houston Texans.

Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock weren’t first-round picks, but they’ve been Day 1 standouts for the Houston Texans.

Lassiter, a second-round pick out of Georgia, has transformed into a quality No. 2 defensive back opposite All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. In Saturday’s wild-card round win, didn’t allow a catch and forced an interception on Chargers quarterback Justin Hebert.

Turnovers are a part of Bullock’s language. Entering the playoffs, the third-round pick out of USC was tied for the team lead in interceptions with five. He also has been considered one of the Texans’ most improved tacklers since training camp.

ESPN recently named its All-Rookie team following the conclusion of the regular season. The offense was headlined by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Iriving and Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

On defense, Lassiter and Bullock made up a half of the secondary. In Lasstier’s case, he was considered in the hunt before the playoff game. After his performance, the case was closed.

“Perfectly cast for the DeMeco Ryans defense, Lassiter is unbelievably physical against the run, can suffocate routes at the line of scrimmage and wins the football in the air against much larger receivers,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote. “Among corners with at least 200 coverage snaps, only Marshon Lattimore allowed a lower completion percentage over expectation than Lassiter did (NFL Next Gen Stats). He plays with a short memory, which is critical for such a physical play style, and a playmaker’s instinct. You couldn’t build a better running mate for Derek Stingley Jr.”

For Bullock, Solak pointed out that when talking “true” free safeties, the 6-foot-3 defensive back in a rare class that emulates the mold.

“From Week 1, Bullock leaped off the film for the Texans. (He was on our Week 4 All-Film team.) The young man can absolutely fly, and Ryans couldn’t have employed his brand of defense this season without Bullock as their center-field safety with true sideline-to-sideline range,” Solak wrote. “He also showed good ball skills with his interception production.”
The Texans hit the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round on Saturday. Perhaps another accolade is in store for one of the Houston heroes against Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium come kickoff at 3:30 p.m.

Watch: Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock record third interception

Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock recorded his third interception of his rookie season to get the ball back to his offense

Green Bay Packers Xavier McKinney leads the NFL interceptions with five picks.

Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock is close behind at halftime after securing his third interception of the season just before the end of the first half of Week 7’s matchup at Lambeau Field.

Bullock picked off Packers quarterback Jordan Love on their first offensive snap with three minutes remaining in the second quarter.

It’s the third Texans takeaway in the first half.

Houston’s offense has struggled to move the ball on offense but has used its two previous takeaways to score 10 points. Bullock, who also picked off New England Patriots passer Drake Maye last week, is one of five players with three or more interceptions entering Sunday.

The USC product has seen a steady increase in playing time throughout the early part of his rookie season. He got his first start as a result of veteran Jimmie Ward missing a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bullock was a third-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Texans general manager Nick Caserio has had plenty of success in the third round, including Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Christian Harris.

The Texans will begin the second half on offense.