The Green Bay Packers already boast one of the premier safeties in the sport, after signing Xavier McKinney last spring, but could be on the cusp of fielding one of the most dominant duos at the position.
Javon Bullard
Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) runs through a drill during the eighth practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Since second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme is predicated on strong defensive back play, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Packers selected two safeties in the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft even after inking McKinney to a $68 million deal.
One of those second-year stars might be primed for a breakout in 2025.
Javon Bullard Named Green Bay Packers’ Breakout Star
Green Bay Packers, Javon Bullard, Washington Commanders free agents
Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) celebrates making a tackle against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Bleacher Report NFL analyst Alex Ballentine put together a list of each team’s breakout star to watch this season, including Packers safety Javon Bullard.
“The Packers double-dipped at safety in the draft,” Ballentine points out for B/R. “When they took Javon Bullard in the second round and Evan Williams in the fourth. In a lot of ways, Williams outplayed Bullard. He gave up a passer rating of 77.8 when targeted while Bullard surrendered a 120.6. Bullard ranked 141st among safeties in PFF grade while Williams was 34th.
“That doesn’t take into account that Bullard had a much more nuanced role. He was asked to play in the slot, in the box and occasionally play deep. The Packers put a lot on his plate and the result might have been a player who was stretched a bit too thin. That likely made his learning curve a bit steeper, but it could pay off in his second season.”
Bullard showed plenty of promise as a rookie, logging 90 total tackles, recovering one fumble, and breaking up a pass. But, a second year of experience as well as playing alongside a dynamic disurptive playmaker like Mckinney could give the former Georgia standout the opportunity to level up his game in 2025.
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