Rookie Profile: Calen Bullock, Safety, Houston Texans
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Calen Bullock, a safety out of USC. He is from Pasadena, California, and was a 3-star recruit from John Muir High School.
Bullock began his collegiate career at USC in 2021 where he appeared in 12 games for the Trojans. He racked up a solid freshman season, totaling 25 solo tackles, 15 assists, 2 interceptions, and 3 passes defended.
After that season, he improved his production even further as a sophomore. In 2022 he racked up 29 solo tackles, 19 assists, 5 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 5 passes defended. An outstanding sophomore season that highlighted his skills.
His final season was as a junior in 2023. His production exploded to a whole new level when he totaled 42 solo tackles, 21 assists, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 7 passes defended. Bullock, displayed his elite potential and ultimately chose to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, foregoing his senior year at USC.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 3 Pick 14
- Round three draft capital for a safety in a weak safety class is a great sign of the potential of Bullock. He was one of my top cornerback candidates going into the draft and his day two draft capital is a further indication that he is going to get the chance to produce at the next level.
- Bullock isn’t the best of the rookie safeties, but he certainly has solid potential to be a great player in the secondary for years to come.
Landing Spot- Houston Texans
- The Houston Texans are a mixed bag. While they did have a lengthy list of defensive players depart this offseason, they still have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, so it remains to be seen how long it will take Bullock to earn a starting role on the team.
- When Bullock does crack the lineup he will need some time to develop as most young defensive backs do. He possesses the skillset to eventually crack this lineup but doesn’t project to be a full-time stud in the long term.
- The Texan’s offense is high-flying and fast-paced and will likely leave the defense on the field for lengthy periods which is great for a safety hoping to see action.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Rotational Safety
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Bullock, a safety from USC, may continue in that role in the NFL. However, at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, he could be vulnerable in run defense unless he gains weight. On the bright side, Bullock possesses the skills to potentially play cornerback, where his size would be nearly ideal for press coverage.
Additionally, Bullock is young, having turned 21 on April 30. It would not be surprising if he reached around 200 pounds in the next year or two, giving him a more typical build for a safety.
He is going to first have to earn playing time, and second earn a role as a starter. This is a long-term play if you select Bullock. He is a solid second-round pick but isn’t going to pay dividends anytime soon.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
