Tag: Javon Bullard

Mel Kiper ranks Georgia’s Javon Bullard as top safety ahead of 2024 NFL draft

Mel Kiper tabs Georgia football defensive back Javon Bullard as favorite safety ahead of NFL draft…

The 2024 NFL draft will take place this week in Detroit and the Georgia Bulldogs are expected have another big year. No other college football program has been as successful as UGA has at the event over the last three years.

Georgia has sent 34 players through the NFL draft over that time span, including 15 selections in 2022, which is a league record.

While players like Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims represent the Bulldogs at the top of this year’s draft, several players are considered unknowns further down the board. One of those prospects is safety Javon Bullard.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has high praise for the two-time national champion defensive back. Kiper recently chose Bullard as his favorite safety (subscription required) ahead of Thursday’s first round.

“As I wrote in my two-round mock draft, Bullard’s value comes in his versatility, as he played as a slot corner, center fielder and up near the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs. He had four picks over the past two campaigns, and he was stellar in coverage last season. He allowed just 54 passing yards as the nearest defender in coverage in 2023, and that came on 20 attempts.

Bullard is a little undersized at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, but I love his all-around game and instincts in coverage.”

Bullard may be undersized by NFL standards, but he plays much bigger. The former three-star prospect routinely delivered gut-wrenching hits to opposing players. Perhaps the most talked about example came in Georgia’s Peach Bowl matchup versus Ohio State. Bullard delivered a powerful, legal hit on star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. that ultimately knocked him out of the game.

Bullard earned Defensive MVP in Georgia’s win over the Buckeyes and went on to earn the same honor in the national championship win over TCU.

After starting at nickelback, or “STAR” in UGA’s nomenclature, in the 2022 season, Bullard moved to safety after NFL departures opened a starting spot in 2023. He didn’t miss a beat, earning second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts.

In 32 games as a Bulldog, Bullard racked up 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Kiper projects Bullard to hear his name called on Day 2.

“Projection: In a safety class with no consensus No. 1 guy, Bullard is at the top of my board. He should be drafted in Round 2.”

You can watch first-round coverage of the draft on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m.) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon).

Lions draft prospect of the day: Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia

Bullard did a lot for the Bulldogs defense in a variety of spots and could do the same for Detroit

Today’s Lions Draft Prospect of the Day is an under-the-radar key cog of Georgia’s defensive dominance over the last few years. 

The focus for these potential Lions prospects is on players who should hold some appeal for Detroit in the draft. Not all of them will be prominent names or high draft picks, and today’s prospect is just itching for a Day 2 pick after he has been hiding in plain sight in a prominent program. 

Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia

Height: 5-foot-10.5 inches

Weight: 198 pounds (measured at NFL Scouting Combine)

A two-year starter and three-year contributor to Georgia’s top-shelf defense, Bullard started out as a three-star recruit who primarily played slot CB. As his Georgia career progressed, Bullard moved more to a split-safety role and typically played over the side where the offense aligned its slot. He bagged 112 tackles, four INTs, 8.5 TFLs, eight PDs and 4.5 sacks in his final two seasons, which includes two games missed in 2023 with an ankle injury.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Bullard met with the Lions at the Senior Bowl. He turns 22 just before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

What I like

  • Very high football IQ comes across instantly on game tape
  • Zero wasted motion in coverage
  • Good open-field tackler who can hit with some pop for his size
  • Exceptional timing on attacking behind the line of scrimmage
  • Smartly anticipates route concepts and throwing angles
  • Impressive ball skills with a go-get-it mentality
  • Considerable experience playing multiple secondary spots in a pro-style defense
  • Very seldom runs himself out of position in run defense or zone coverage
  • Best QB-baiting safety in the draft class with excellent eye discipline and spatial awareness

What worries me going into the NFL

  • Slighter and lighter than ideal for playing safety
  • Top speed is average and Bullard doesn’t have a true top-end chase gear
  • Short-steps for too long when pursuing in the open field; sounds odd but it’s quite noticeable when watching Bullard
  • A little tight-hipped to handle quickness in the slot in the NFL
  • Vulnerable to the stiff arm as a tackler
  • Struggles to get off blocks and will get moved off the point by better TEs

Best game I watched: Alabama in SEC Championship

Worst game I watched: Ohio State in ’22 CFP

Overall

Bullard is a coverage-oriented safety with outstanding instincts and reactions that are proven against some high-level collegiate passing attacks. Much like Lions 2023 second-rounder Brian Branch, Bullard can play as a slot corner, a free safety or a box safety, depending on the matchups. He’s not as big or quite as fluid as Branch, but performs with a similar heady, tough-nosed and playmaking style. Bullard would make a very smart fit for the Lions in the second round.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 14, Georgia DB Javon Bullard

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Brian Gutekunst wants versatility in the secondary for the Green Bay Packers. He wants interchangeable parts to give Jeff Hafley flexibility.

“It really helps your defense to be multiple and flexible so teams can’t get a bead on what you’re doing,” Gutekunst said, via Packers.com. “So, in a perfect world, quite frankly, between the two safeties and the nickel, those three guys almost need to be interchangeable completely.”

A potential target in the 2024 NFL Draft that would fit that description is Javon Bullard. The Georgia defensive back checks in at No. 14 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit, Bullard played primarily in the slot during the 2022 campaign. This past season he played free safety in Kirby Smart’s defense. 

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

“He has so much variability with his coverage technique,” Ian Cummings, an NFL Draft analyst for Pro Football Network said. “That, combined with his athleticism, is at the root of his versatility. With his slot experience, he can play press-man and off-man. He has the fast feet and feisty physicality to match and gather wide receivers at the line or use inch resets to maintain positioning in space. When he lines up as a field safety in two-high looks, he has a smooth, tight pedal, and the corrective twitch to plant, drive, and enter trail with rapid quickness.”

Bullard has the short-area quickness and fluid change of direction skills to man the slot position. He’s a rangy athlete to cover the backend. His reaction quickness is outstanding and his closing burst to the football is impeccable. The Georgia defensive back is quick to sift through the action and showcases good route recognition. 

A former track athlete, Bullard recorded four interceptions and eight pass deflections over the past two seasons.  

“Bullard’s technique is a definite plus,’ Cummings said. “He’s fluid, malleable, plays low in his stance and can vary his footwork based on role and route positioning. His intelligence is just as much a boon for him in coverage.  He’s quick to plant and drive in off-man, with snappy reactive athleticism, and his spatial reasoning skills and leverage IQ allow him to maintain positioning and discipline against overlapping routes in zone coverage. He’s still growing as a playmaker on the ball, but positioning, processing, and want-to are never issues.”

While he may be a tad “undersized” at 5-10 and 198 pounds, Bullard plays with an alpha dog mentality in run support. He never backs down from the fray and is willing to throw his body around. Bullard closes downhill like he was shot out of a cannon. During his two seasons as a starter, Bullard was tagged with 12 missed tackles. 

“On occasion, he’ll take faulty angles,” Cummings said. “But more often than not, he shows great quickness triggering downhill, great block engagement, deconstruction, and run-fitting skills, and he can weaponize his explosiveness as a blitzer. It’s also channeled through his extreme willingness to exert physicality and impose his will on opponents.”

During his three seasons in Athens, Bullard logged 282 snaps on special teams. With his speed and toughness, Bullard could be a core special teams player. 

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need playmakers in the secondary. They could stand to add another nickel cornerback on the roster. They also need to find a safety to pair with Xavier McKinney. Bullard checks all those boxes. 

“I’d draft Bullard because he’s an extremely versatile, extremely tenacious presence in the secondary, who can set the tone with his physicality and help his teammates play freer with his all-encompassing role flexibility,” Cummings said. “He’s not the biggest or the fastest, but he has the intangibles, twitched-up mobility, and the relentless urgency to be a facet as a two-high, box, and nickel — in the mold of productive veteran safety Jordan Whitehead.”

Bullard’s fit goes back to the Gutekunst quote about versatility. Bullard has extensive experience playing in the slot and at safety. On top of being able to wear multiple hats in the secondary, Bullard could provide an immediate impact on special teams. With Green Bay being the proud owners of four Day 2 picks, Bullard could be high on their board when the second round begins. 

TeX’s and O’s: Georgia Safety Javon Bullard could bring physicality to secondary

The Houston Texans could be in the market for a safety this draft cycle, and Georgia’s Javon Bullard fits the bill.

The Houston Texans are ready to contend.

Coming off an 11-8 campaign, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans have had a spectacular start to the off-season and have brought in players with Super Bowl optimism.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, running back Joe Mixon, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive tackle Denico Autry headline a group that’s propelled the Texans into five-five odds. The team appears ready to compete with one large caveat

Is the defensive secondary ready?

The current projected starting safety duo was hit-and-miss throughout the division-winning campaign. Veteran Jimmie Ward missed multiple games due to injury, ending the year on the reserve list. Jalen Pitre regressed from his breakout rookie campaign, especially in man coverage.

Houston may be ready to run ample man coverage looks with star corner Derek Stingley Jr. and newcomers Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson, but they’ll need a constant security net over the top if expecting better results.

Safety has been on the mind of Caserio. Three have visited NRG Stadium this past month, including Georgia’s Javon Bullard, perhaps the best fit for Ryans’ man-heavy scheme.

Bullard, a two-year starter for the Bulldogs, often was tasked with high-leverage roles under Kirby Smart’s man-based unit. He had 56 tackles, seven passes breakups and two interceptions last season in Athens. He also was named the Nation Championship game’s MVP during the team’s title run in 2022.

His pre-draft run has been equally impressive. Bullard was named the top safety of the Reeses’ Senior Bowl practices and impressed NFL teams throughout the week in Mobile, Ala.

Additionally, he had a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and tied together a strong 8.24 “Relative Athletic Score.”

It should come as no surprise that Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke are interested in potentially seeing the Bulldog product supplemented to the ‘SWARM’ persona. The film shows an instinctive player in coverage who isn’t afraid to crash violently and support the run.

The FIT

Bullard is comfortable playing on the back end, reading out plays, and positioning himself well when asked to defend the run and on passing concepts. He may start the following play farther off the line of scrimmage than any of his fellow defenders, but Bullard is quick to see it and react.

 

These instincts allowed Bullard to be a plus player in the run game and he was a reliable tackler if running backs managed to get past Georgia’s formidable front seven.

That same ability to trigger downhill also allows Bullard to make highlight plays on the football. He had four interceptions in his final two seasons with Georgia. That can largely be attributed to how he dissects plays.

Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso should love the attentiveness and pursuit angles Bullard presents downfield, but also the physicality when asked to guard receivers.

This play against Florida shows Bullard at his best. The safety reads the quarterback early, flies downhill to the developing slant route, and crushes the receiver to prevent a first down. The ability to recognize passing concepts and punish targets will be one of Bullard’s best assets at the NFL level.

The CONCERN

While a promising player, Bullard’s not a finished product. He tends to launch at plays he recognizes, which can also leave him in poor position should he misread the coverage.

Earlier in that same contest against Florida, a similar concept was drawn up. Instead of making a highlight tackle, Bullard took a bad angle in coverage, leading to a Gators’ touchdown.

In terms of character, Bullard isn’t a slouch. In The Athletics’ draft analyst Dane Brugler’s “The Beast,” he found glowing commentary on the safety including that, “High school and college coaches agree that he has a future in coaching, because of his mental toughness” and that he was “Regarded as one of the team leaders in the Georgia locker room.”

Bullard is a motivated player and a good athlete tasked with handling free safety responsibilities as the last line of defense for a proven championship-caliber program. His football IQ and attentiveness for sniffing out plays suggest he’s someone well-prepared to play at the next level.

THE ROLE

In Ryans’ defense, Bullard could plug in immediately next to Ward or Pitre and serve as a reliable coverage safety who brings a new element of physicality to any secondary.

Additionally, his presence could allow Pitre to play closer to the box on running downs and potentially create a better role for the third-year Baylor product. Pitre, a former second-round pick, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while lined up in the STAR position under a similar defensive formation.

Bullard is a very realistic draft target for Houston during the 2nd round, either at pick No. 42 or pick No. 59. It would be far-fetched to imagine Bullard falling out of the second round, let alone to Houston at pick No. 86 midway through Round 3.

Whether Caserio and Ryans believe he could require a trade up, or are content to wait for him where they currently sit, is yet to be seen.

What’s certain is that Bullard could bring a sense of dependability and physicality that Houston desperately needs for its Super Bowl chase.

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar: Doug’s favorite underrated draft prospects

In this week’s Xs and Os, Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar discuss Ricky Pearsall, Malik Washington, Renardo Green, Max Melton, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, and Javon Bullard.

In this week’s episode of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into six of Doug’s favorite underrated prospects in the 2024 NFL draft — players who most likely won’t hear their names called in the first round next Thursday night, but who all can provide serious value to their soon-to-be NFL teams. Two weeks ago, we focused on “Greg’s Guys” in that same regard. Now, here are Doug’s favorites.

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall — Will Pearsall be able to maintain his gliding speed, route awareness and amazing catches into contact at the NFL level? We’re betting on “yes.”

Virginia receiver Malik Washington — Washington is a shorter (but not thin) player who can create explosive plays all over the field; a team like the Chiefs (for example) should be watching as much of his tape as possible right now.

Florida State cornerback Renardo Green — Green projects well as an outside cornerback despite a lack of desired size, but how will his NFL team deploy him?

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton — In Melton’s case, his NFL team will love his ability to match receivers all over the field, and they’ll likely see the necessary technique fixes as a worthy time investment.

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson — More than any other safety in this class, Taylor-Demerson has field-scalding speed when in coverage. If he can tamp down the more rogue elements of his athleticism, he could be an easy Pro Bowler.

Georgia safety Javon Bullard — Over the last two seasons, Georgia asked Bullard to completely change his positional profile in ways most college defenders are not asked to do, and he did it all very well. That should make him an easy prospect for most NFL teams.

You can watch this week’s “X and Os” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts. 

Mock draft watch: Interesting 3-round projections for the Lions from ESPN

The first-rounder is a popular projection, while the second and third round selections defy conventional wisdom

The latest mock draft from longtime ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is an interesting one for the Detroit Lions. The three-round projections feature Kiper and fellow analyst Field Yates alternating picks across the rounds, with Kiper handling the odd-numbered picks and Yates handling the even ones.

With the Lions holding picks No. 29, 61 and 73, that means Kiper made all three projections for Detroit.

First round: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri. This is becoming a popular projection for the Lions’ top pick, and his positional versatility to play either DE or DT aligns with how the Lions have built the defense. Kiper notes that in his explanation,

He is a bit of a tweener, and he might be better as a 3-technique tackle. He could play some snaps at end in Detroit.

Among the typical Lions candidates passed on here to select Robinson:

Kool-Aid McKinstry

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Johnny Newton

Ennis Rakestraw

In the second round, Kiper hits the Detroit secondary with Georgia safety Javon Bullard. Kiper notes that Bullard is his top-ranked safety and is quite bullish on the idea of pairing him with Brian Branch in the secondary. Good pick, one that Lions fans should probably like more than what the initial reaction of drafting a safety instead of a cornerback would likely garner.

The third-rounder is a bit of a headscratcher. Pittsburgh WR Bub Means is a decent enough prospect, but this is several rounds higher than Means typically projects. He’s No. 237 on the NFL Mock Draft Database, which averages the draft slot across a multitude of contemporary mocks. Kiper also notes how good Means was on contested catches, but that ignores the fact Lions QB Jared Goff tends to not attempt those sorts of throws.

 

 

Javon Bullard comments on playing style, versatility in lead up to NFL draft

With the 2024 NFL draft closing in, Javon Bullard is one of the most highly-rated players at his position. He recently commented on what sets him apart

With the NFL draft a couple of weeks away, around 10 Georgia players are expecting to hear their name called. Javon Bullard is one of the most highly rated of these prospects, and he recently commented on what sets him apart as a prospect in an interview with the NFL Network.

When asked about his versatility, Bullard said, “I play defense,” in reference to his ability to play numerous positions across the lineup, adding, “Your versatility is your value.” Bullard was originally recruited as a cornerback and played the STAR position at Georgia before transitioning to safety in his junior year.

Bullard also was asked about the physical nature of his game, as he became known over his time at Georgia as one of the hardest hitting safeties in college football. He said he embraces the physicality of the game, saying, “This game should be played one way.”

Both of these attributes will benefit Bullard greatly through the draft process. Over the course of his career at Georgia, he recorded 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four interceptions, and was named defensive MVP of the national championship against TCU in 2022.

Texans host former Georgia DB Javon Bullard for top-30 visit

The Houston Texans are looking for safety prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft, and could find a steal in Georgia’s Javon Bullard.

Georgia’s Javon Bullard has appeared as a target for the Houston Texans in multiple mock drafts. Now, that projection could soon be a reality.

The former Bulldogs defensive back visited NRG Stadium Tuesday, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson. This marks the second time the Texans have met with Bullard since the start of the pre-draft process.

A two-year starter, Bullard was essential in helping Georgia hoist back-to-back national titles under Kirby Smart. Known for his hard-hitting demeanor, the 5-foot-10 do-it-all defender might be best known for his game-saving touchdown tackle against Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal.

Bullard was later named Defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship after recording two interceptions against TCU en route to a 65-7 victory at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Last season, Bullard was credited with 55 tackles, one for a loss and two interceptions in 13 games. He elected to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the draft after defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Bullard switched positions from the STAR to free safety last season to make room for Tykee Smith in the slot. He and Malaki Stark helped Georgia finish with a top-10 pass defense en route to a 14-1 season, alongside Smith and cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

The Texans are looking for position flexibility in the secondary heading into Year 2 of the DeMeco Ryans’ era. The nickel position is one area that remains unknown given the status of the safety room.

Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward were serviceable while helping Houston clinch its first AFC South title in four years, but were also inconsistent in man coverage. Pitre, who enters a crucial Year 3 with Houston, was credited with 14 missed tackles last season in coverage.

Ward missed nine games, including both playoff matchups, due to multiple injuries and was placed on the second-ending injured reserve in late December.

Bullard, a projected third-round pick, likely wouldn’t start from the jump, but his presence could raise the level of competition in practice. All three defenders have experience playing in the nickel, too. Pitre, who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, shined at Baylor as the team’s starting STAR position.

Ward, who joined Ryans after eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, began his career at the nickel before transitioning to safety in 2018. In 2022, he shifted back to the slot role following the emergence of All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga.

The Texans currently own nine picks in the draft, including two picks in the second, fourth, sixth, and seventh rounds, respectively. The Texans also own pick No. 86 in the third round.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

2024 NFL Draft: Georgia safety Javon Bullard scouting report

Georgia safety Javon Bullard put just about everything he could on tape in the last two seasons, in radically different ways.

Georgia’s defense in 2023 under Kirby Smart wasn’t quite the historic unit it was in 2022, but it was still pretty darned good, and one reason it was pretty darned good was the work of safety Javon Bullard, who allowed just 14 catches on 26 targets last season for 119 yards, 68 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 34.0.

This in a season where he went from a primary box/slot/blitz player the season before to an outstanding free safety and slot defender. That’s not exactly easy to do, but Bullard did it, and this speaks highly to not only his NFL transition, but also his versatility within that transition.

The 5-foot-11, 198-pound Bullard should also be an asset in any defense where coverage switches are the order of the day, and that includes just about any intelligently-designed defense these days.

PLUSES

— Underwent a radical change in deployment last season from 14% deep in 2022 to 83% in 2023 (from 12 to 362 reps at free safety) and didn’t miss a beat.
— Has the transitions, trail ability, and downfield speed to hang with quick receivers on vertical routes.
— Can erase receivers over the middle and in short areas; his quickness to adjust is fine. The tape example below of Bullard shutting Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall down in press slot is really impressive; press slot is tough for most defensive backs to get right. 
— You have to go back to 2022 to see it, but he’s a highly effective blitzer from the edge with speed off the snap, and determination to get home.
— Brings true sideline-to-sideline speed to the field, and the acceleration to close shows up over and over.
MINUSES
— Bullard has far too many “Ole” tackles on his tape where he flat-out misses his target. Seven missed tackles last season.
— Has good recovery speed in space, but tends to need it too often. He’ll need to be more aware of his landmarks in the NFL.
— Struggles at times with his backpedal and turn, though he’s got the athleticism to tie that up.
— Ball skills are inconsistent; if he gets that going, he could be a major interceptor.

Bullard is a guy where you really have to watch his last two seasons because what he was asked to do was so different. As much as any safety in this class, he brings a full array of skills, and it’s all on tape. I’ll be fascinated to see how his NFL team uses him.