2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Javon Bullard (DB – Georgia)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard.

2024 NFL Draft Guide

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Javon Bullard

Javon Bullard (DB – Georgia)

5’11” – 195 lbs.

Background:

Three-star recruit and Georgia native who rotated into the defense as a freshman, finishing with 12 tackles on the year before starting nearly every game he appeared in the following year and finishing with 46-7.0-3.5, two interceptions, and three breakups. This past year he posted 56 tackles, two interceptions and five breakups before declaring.

Positives:

Two-year starter for a major program. Has been asked to handle different roles, playing mostly as a nickel back in 2022 and then playing more high safety this in 2023, with plenty of slot/box work mixed in, often shading over the slot. Energetic player with a feisty, physical temperament. Good pre-snap communicator. Strong natural feel for the game, with good recognition skills and instincts. Quick, clean footwork in his backpedal or when bailing to a spot in zone. Shows some twitchy traits in coverage and can squeeze the stem when pattern-matching. Fluid player with clean transitions and good speed to turn and run with opponents down the seams. Reads the quarterback’s eyes well and has the speed to make it out to the sidelines. Closes fast to undercut and break up throws or deliver big hits. On-ball production has been solid, with good aggressiveness when he’s in position to make a play. Knows how to bait quarterbacks into making mistakes. Flies up to support the run, with a quick trigger, sound angles, and some hard tackling. Nice discipline and square shoulders when defending the run from inside the box. Gets good extension when taking on blocks, and has better contact balance and lower-body strength than his frame would suggest.

Negatives:

Frame is a bit smaller than some of his competitors in the class. Sometimes feels like his lack of ideal length leads to some missed opportunities for interceptions. Could be a little bit faster to get his head around and locate when his back is to the ball; too often ends up playing the receiver’s eyes/hands. Probably not an ideal choice for work in man coverage against opposing tight ends. Takes on blocks well but can struggle to disengage. Will have to answer some questions about his 2022 DUI arrest.

Summary:

One of the best pure football players in the class, with the type of polished technique, passionate and physical play, and versatility to contribute early in his career, likely as a “Star” nickel-back type. May not have ideal size and length, but plays bigger than his size, using excellent awareness/recognition skills and fast, fluid athleticism to put himself in position to make plays. Teams that like to move around their players and ask them to perform different roles should be looking at him very early in the draft.

Projection: Round 2