Rookie Profile: Javon Bullard, S, Green Bay Packers
Welcome to the Rookie Profile: Javon Bullard, a defensive lineman out of LSU. He is from St. Louis, MO, and was a 3-star recruit from DeSmet High School.
Bullard’s collegiate career began in 2021 with the Georgia Bulldogs. As a freshman, he played in only 6 games but made an immediate impact totaling 8 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
In 2022 he played in 14 games as a sophomore and his production was elite. He racked up 33 solo tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks while also securing 2 interceptions.
In his final season at Georgia in 2023, he bettered that production with a career year. He racked up 39 tackles, and 2 interceptions, both career highs.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 2 Pick 58
- A second-round selection is no laughing matter and should indicate the investment the Packers have made in Bullard. Green Bay is stacked across the board on the offensive side of the ball and had some extra draft capital to burn on the defensive side.
- Bullard was a solid safety in a weak safety class, so he could have gone even higher than this, but it’s still a sizeable investment that makes him a safe and stable asset to draft in IDP rookie drafts.
Landing Spot- Green Bay Packers
- The Packers may be loaded on the offensive side of the ball, but they are a wasteland on the defensive side. If Bullard can show any potential in training camp and the preseason, it’s entirely possible that he could find himself as a starting safety come Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
- The combination of solid draft capital and an excellent landing spot gives Bullard an upside that most other defensive rookies in this class don’t have. He could pay dividends for you sooner rather than later and is an excellent pick for fantasy.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Starting Safety
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Bullard may not be the ideal full-time nickelback due to a possible lack of the desired length and range for a split safety, yet he excels as a football player with the keen field awareness that teams value. His lateral movements may be somewhat restricted, potentially leading to open passing lanes and occasional missed tackles.
However, his adept route recognition and pursuit angles contribute to the consistency of his performance. Despite some tough matchups, Georgia has set a precedent by utilizing him as a sizable nickel with responsibilities in run support and limited man coverage — a strategy NFL teams would do well to emulate. In the right system, Bullard has the potential to evolve into a top-tier NFL starter.
When Bullard finds his way onto the field he projects to be an elite defensive back for IDP formats everywhere.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
