Javon Bullard Making a Strong First Impression at OTAs

The Green Bay Packers selected defensive back Javon Bullard with the 58^th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. It was the team’s second selection in the second round. Bullard has only been with the Packers for less than a month now but after rookie camp and the first few days of OTAs, the former Georgia Bulldog star is already making a strong first impression on the coaching staff.

In college, Bullard was a leader and was admired for his football intelligence. He made two interceptions in the 2022 National Championship Game against TCU, showing he could come up big when the stakes were the highest.

He was excellent at diagnosing plays and what opposing offenses were trying to do in different formations. Bullard also showed versatility, playing both in the slot and at safety. He could hit and make plays against the run in addition to his solid play in coverage.

At Packers OTAs, Bullard immediately impressed the coaching staff. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley raved about Bullard during his press conference earlier this week.

“He’s a sharp guy,” Hafley told reporters. “His ability to learn and process in those two days [of rookie minicamp] was impressive. You get a guy who can play that fast and can take what he learned in the meeting room and bring it out to the field, and he’s got a chance.”

He also admired Hafley’s versatile skill set. “Just loved his tape. Loved the way he played,” Hafley continued. “He’s a physical guy. He can run, he can cover, he can play deep, he can play in the slot, he can blitz. He’s bigger when you see him.”

Defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley was also impressed by what he’s seen from Bullard so far. “He’s just a phenomenal skill set. He can do a lot of different things. He’s smart, can pick it up quickly, very instinctive, and when he gets to the point of contact, he gets there with a chip on his shoulder.”

It is still not clear where Bullard is going to line up in the Packers defense. Knowing the way the coaching staff says they want to operate; he will be lined up in different roles at different times over the course of the season.

Bullard will certainly battle for the starting job at safety opposite Xavier McKinney who the Packers signed as a free agent earlier this offseason. Second-year man Anthony Johnson, Jr. will likely be his number one competitor for that job.

Bullard’s ability to make tackles against the run and play in pass coverage gives Hafley the chance to mix and match his safeties to create momentary confusion for opposing quarterbacks and coaches since they won’t know who is dropping back deep and who is playing in the box.   

The rookie may also compete with veteran defensive back Keisean Nixon for playing time as the star or slot corner. He has experience doing that in college and played well there.       The coaching staff could want to save Nixon for his kick and punt return duties where he has been All Pro the last two years rather than risk losing him to injury by playing extensively on defense.

The Packers could easily have him alternate between the two positions depending on how quickly he picks up the defense, injuries or how well Bullard and his competitors are performing.

Bullard himself is excited about playing for the Packers and for joining former Georgia teammates Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Eric Stokes in Green Bay. “God don’t make no mistakes, man. He put me in this position for a reason,” Bullard said. “I’m extremely blessed to be in this position, to have those guys that I looked up to when we were in school, so to have them again is huge, man, going into my new chapter in my life.”

You don’t draft a player in the second round of the draft if you don’t expect them to play a large role on defense. Bullard has already made a strong first impression on the coaching staff and his teammates. Now, he has to continue to develop and carve out a niche for himself at the professional level.