Latest news with #JavonBullard
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
The Most Important Packers: No. 28 — Javon Bullard
Green Bay Packers defensive back Javon Bullard played both safety and slot corner during his rookie ... More season, The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way. Overall, though, no one in the building was happy. The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. 'We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,' Gutekunst said. 'I think it's time we started competing for championships.' Those are fair expectations. The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. 'I think they're ready,' Gutekunst said. Now, it's time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right. Green Bay's first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the '30 Most Important Packers' heading into the 2025 campaign. At No. 28 is safety/slot corner Javon 28 Javon Bullard, S/CB Last season Bullard began the season starting opposite Xavier McKinney at safety, then moved to slot corner in mid-October after the emergence of fellow rookie Evan Williams. Bullard played primarily in the slot the rest of the season, but did go back to safety when Williams and later Zayne Anderson were both injured. 'I just think he's got so much versatility and value, moving him around all over the place — whether it's nickel, dime, safety, getting him closer to the ball, blitzing him, getting him involved in the run game, he's got coverage ability,' Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. 'He's going to be a guy that you can do so many things with down the road once he really has a great grasp and feel for everything.' Bullard finished the year starting 11 of the 15 games he played. He was fourth on the team with 85 tackles, but had a concerning number of missed tackles (10). Big plays were also missing from Bullard's game, as he finished with zero interceptions, no sacks, no forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Quarterbacks had a 121.4 passer rating throwing at Bullard. And according to Pro Football Focus, his coverage grade of 46.9 ranked 141st out of 171 safeties. Bullard missed Weeks 15-16 with an ankle injury, but played well down the stretch, highlighted by a career-best 11-tackle performance against Minnesota in Week to date Bullard, a second round draft pick in 2024, did a little bit of everything during his collegiate career at Georgia. Bullard played mostly slot corner in 2022 when the Bulldogs won the national championship. He had 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss that season, and was named Defensive MVP of the 2022 national championship game The Bulldogs moved Bullard to safety in 2023 where he finished with career highs in tackles (56) and passes defensed (seven). He was also voted the top safety at the Senior Bowl. While most teams viewed Bullard as strictly a safety, the Packers liked his versatility and believed he could play slot corner at the next It's tough to gauge exactly where Bullard fits in the pecking order right now. Evan Williams passed Bullard at safety last season and was later named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team. Green Bay's cornerback trio of Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine could also make it tough for Bullard to win the slot corner job. If Bullard's going to have a major role in the defense again, he'll need to prove that his coverage skills have improved and missed tackles will no longer be a Said It … 'We knew with Javon he had the positional flex, he had the versatility. We knew that, and we verified that last year.' — Packers defensive back coach Ryan Downard on Bullard'I'm a winner. I want to win at all costs. Whatever that may be. Winners like to hang around winners, If you're a winner and you want to hang around losers than sooner or later you can possibly become a loser. I like to hang around winners and I feel like this organization is all about winning.' — Bullard during the 2024 season'I think when you watch Bull, you watch how physical he is around the ball and you just want to try to find ways to get him more involved play after play. He can do it all, though. I think he can cover. I know he's physical in the run game. He's a really good blitzer.' — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Bullard'I think Javon, he did a great job playing violently. I mean, that guy plays the game the right way. He addresses blocks the right way. We saw it in Week 1 and we saw it throughout the season.' — Downard on BullardTHE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers Second-Round Pick Called Underrated Sleeper To Watch In 2025
Packers Second-Round Pick Called Underrated Sleeper To Watch In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Green Bay Packers put together a solid season in 2024, winning 11 games and reaching the playoffs for the second year in a row under quarterback Jordan Love. However, their 0-6 record against the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings—three of the NFC's top teams—highlighted a clear gap. Green Bay proved capable of handling weaker and average opponents, but they consistently came up short when matched against elite competition. Advertisement Green Bay was a talented team, but much of the roster had yet to reach its full potential. That is understandable, given Matt LaFleur's squad was the NFL's youngest team for the second straight year. While it is a bonus when young players contribute early, there is a natural learning curve for most rookies and second-year players as they adjust to the speed and complexity of the pro game. As the Packers head into 2025, it is reasonable to expect many players to take the next step in their development. One of those players is Javon Bullard, a former second-round pick who should play a significant role in Jeff Hafley's defense. Clutch Sports' Enzo Flojo even named him an underrated sleeper on the team, highlighting the challenges he faced during his rookie year. Green Bay Packers S Javon Bullard (20) participates in the team's minicamp at Ray Nitschke Field.© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images "Packers fans were understandably excited when Green Bay double-dipped at safety in the 2024 draft. But by the end of the season, fourth-rounder Evan Williams appeared to have outplayed second-rounder Javon Bullard," Flojo wrote. "On paper, the gap was wide. Williams allowed a passer rating of just 77.8 when targeted. Meanwhile, Bullard gave up a staggering 120.6." Advertisement "However, that surface-level comparison leaves out crucial context. Bullard was asked to play multiple roles—slot corner, box safety, and deep safety—all while adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses," he added. "That's an enormous task for any rookie. It's no surprise he looked overextended at times. Still, that trial by fire could pay dividends in 2025. With more defined responsibilities and another offseason to digest the playbook, Bullard is positioned to make a significant Year 2 leap. Flojo also mentioned that Bullard's versatility and physicality are the biggest strengths of his game and that the best way for Green Bay to maximize his potential is by letting him settle into one role. "What Bullard brings to the table is versatility and physicality. He plays downhill with confidence and flashes the range to track the ball in space," he wrote. "Bullard has the traits to thrive—if he's not asked to do too much, too soon." The former Bulldog had a peculiar rookie year. He was one of only five defensive backs to log at least 250 snaps both in the slot and at free safety—and the first rookie to do so since 2007. Jeff Hafley is a big fan of Bullard, and while he may not have a guaranteed starting spot entering 2025, he should remain heavily featured in the Packers' secondary. Related: Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander Predicted To Sign $16M Deal With NFC Contender This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
