The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia safety Javon Bullard with the 58th pick. The Packers doubled down on defense with their two second-round picks after selecting linebacker Edgerrin Cooper with pick No. 45.
General manager Brian Gutekunst talked before the draft about wanting to pair newly signed veteran safety Xavier McKinney with a young safety and Bullard could fill that role.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Bullard ranked No. 53 on Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
A two-year starter at Georgia, Bullard played the field safety role in head coach Kirby Smart’s 3-3-5 base scheme, and he also saw reps in the box and slot. The lowest-ranked recruit in Smart’s 2021 recruiting class, he played the “STAR” nickel position in 2022 before moving to free safety. He didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage during the 2023 season.
With his swagger fitting up the run, Bullard is assignment sound as a down safety, where he can quickly diagnose, drive and make plays at the football. He has the eye balance to rapidly read routes, although his timing will need to be pristine to cover NFL receivers and tight ends.
Overall, Bullard doesn’t have ideal size or length, but he is ultra-instinctive and makes his presence felt at all three levels of the field. His skill set fits best as a hybrid nickel defender who can handle box duties, disguise his intentions and drop into space.
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Nick Baumgardner’s grade: A-
The Packers made a splash in free agency signing Xavier McKinney but still needed safety depth. This was the perfect range to make that swing and Bullard — a tough, physical and highly intelligent back-end player will fill a need with time and room to grow. Bullard could get on the field as a nickel or a safety immediately.
Packers are drafting Georgia S Javon Bullard, per @albertbreer pic.twitter.com/MjmPcDDhbv
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 27, 2024
How he fits
General manager Brian Gutekunst said this offseason he likes his safeties to be able to play both safety spots and the nickel. Bullard did just that at Georgia for Kirby Smart and gives Green Bay a versatile piece for new defensive coordinator and secondary specialist Jeff Hafley’s defensive backfield. Gutekunst said he preferred a young safety with his best football ahead of him to pair with free-agent signing Xavier McKinney and Bullard gives Green Bay its likely second starting safety.
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Rookie impact
After 2019 first-round pick Darnell Savage Jr. signed with the Jaguars in free agency, the Packers had a hole to fill alongside one of their two prized free-agent signings in McKinney. From Brugler’s scouting report, it sounds as if Bullard should impact the defense immediately.
Depth-chart impact
Of the Packers’ top three safeties from last season, two found other teams and one remains unsigned. Savage signed with the Jaguars, Jonathan Owens with the Bears and Rudy Ford is still on the market. Anthony Johnson Jr. played more than 300 defensive snaps as a rookie seventh-round pick last season, but the Packers probably want an upgrade alongside McKinney. Bullard should start from Day 1. He was the second safety off the board — both went in the second round — in what was perceived as a weak safety class.
They also could have picked …
The Packers needed a safety on Day 2 of the draft. It was arguably their biggest need with last season’s top three not on the team anymore. Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin was the only safety off the board at No. 58. Others remaining were Utah’s Cole Bishop, Washington State’s Jaden Hicks and Miami’s Kamren Kinchens. Packers assistant director of scouting Pat Moore said Bullard’s ability to play nickel set him apart.
Fast evaluation
Bullard can not only start alongside McKinney, but he can push Keisean Nixon for snaps at the nickel, too. The Packers added a Day 1 starter and their fourth Georgia defender taken in the first two rounds of the last four drafts. His versatility in the defensive backfield is something Hafley should have fun with.
(Photo: Jordon Kelly / Getty Images)
