The Green Bay Packers love versatility. It’s a trait that’s often evident in the offensive linemen they draft, particularly in their 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard out of Georgia.
Bullard can do a lot, and the Packers asked him to do a lot as a rookie. Occasionally, it may have bordered on overwhelming. Could giving Bullard fewer responsibilities put him in a better spot to succeed in Year 2?
Some fans and analysts viewed Bullard moving to the slot and away from a true safety position as a demotion, especially given how fellow rookie Evan Williams performed throughout the 2024 season.
In reality, injuries to the secondary had defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley shuffling pieces around, and Bullard was one of the guys who got shuffled. He was one of just five players in the NFL last season to play 250 snaps at free safety and another 250 in the slot. Not only was he the only rookie to do so, but he was the first rookie to accomplish the feat since 2007.
Green Bay was able to ease fourth-round pick Williams into action. Bullard started at safety next to Xavier McKinney in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles while Williams was healthy and active, but didn’t play a snap.
Could Bullard have benefited from being brought along more slowly?
The Packers don’t think so. Earlier this offseason, Green Bay’s safeties coach Ryan Downard said there have been conversations about how it will benefit Bullard in the long run.
So, how could Year 2 shape up for Bullard?
Believe it or not, the looming decision on whether or not cornerback Jaire Alexander will be back with the team will have quite the domino effect on Bullard.
If Alexander returns, either Keisean Nixon or Nate Hobbs figures to slide over to the slot. That could leave Bullard with few opportunities there, and thus, he could be competing for safety reps with Williams. If Alexander goes elsewhere, Bullard would be the likely candidate to handle slot duties, with Nixon and Hobbs penciled in on the outside.
Regardless of how things fall, there’s possibly less on Bullard’s plate in 2025, which could yield better results for the second-year hybrid secondary player.
There were times in 2024 when Bullard looked more comfortable playing closer to the ball and seemed like he was starting to settle in before getting switched back to free safety. Late-season injuries to Williams forced Green Bay to bounce Bullard around.
The Packers are correct in that Bullard gaining experience in several different spots on the field as a rookie may benefit him down the line, but isn’t the more obvious solution in 2025 to let him settle in rather than bouncing around like a pinball?
Hafley and the rest of the staff certainly know what they’re doing, and Bullard is a sneaky-adaptable chess piece for 2025. The Packers brought in Hobbs at corner, and linebackersEdgerrin Cooper and Williams are popular candidates to make a Year 2 leap. Despite being a second-round pick, an up-and-down rookie campaign has made it easier to forget how critical Bullard will be to the operation if he starts to flourish.
Hafley spoke glowingly about Bullard’s versatility in 2024, particularly early in the season when Bullard was asked to do a lot.
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. …So, rather than have a guy who’s just going to be in there for coverage reasons, you kind of get the best of both worlds. You’re almost playing with three safeties. 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.
Bullard’s versatility may have occasionally worked against him in 2024, underselling his ability at any one spot. Maybe Green Bay will ask him the same again this year. But why not see what he can do when Bullard focuses on what he does best?
Complaining about Bullard’s 2024 production in contrast to his draft status is foolish. Almost all players need time to develop, to say nothing of rookies forced to learn extra duties early. Circumstances made it easy to forget about him at times last year, but Bullard could be the key to unlocking a whole new level for the defense this season.