Safety Javon Bullard Named Green Bay Packers Best Pick

The Green Bay Packers entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a few clear needs on their roster. By the end of Day 2, they addressed all of them. With five selections within the top-100 entering the draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst had a great opportunity to plug the holes remaining

One of those holes were in the secondary, specifically at the safety spot. Green Bay made a splash in free agency, signing Xavier McKinney away from the New York Giants with a four-year, $67 million contract.

McKinney is as durable as they get at safety, as he played every snap for the Giant last season. He provides the Packers’ defense with some versatility as well, capable of playing either safety spot with elite coverage skills.

With one of their second round picks, Green Bay added a potential starting option alongside McKinney. With the No. 58 overall pick, the Packers selected Georgia safety Javon Bullard. Bullard is a great addition to the safety depth chart and was named the team’s best pick by Zack Kruse of Packers Wire.

“The need at safety was massive, and Bullard might be the perfect fit in a rebuilt secondary. The Packers telegraphed this pick throughout the process; they made it clear an interchangeable safety who can play the nickel was the preferred pairing with prized free agent Xavier McKinney. Bullard was excellent as a primary slot corner in 2022 and excellent as a split safety in 2023. He can run. He can hit. He can cover. He’s only 198 pounds but he plays much bigger. He was a big-time player in big games. Bullard is fearless and energetic, and the Packers believe he’s going to be a leader while raising the competitiveness of the entire locker room. It won’t be surprising if Bullard is starting next to McKinney come Week 1, and it also won’t be surprising if he’s eventually the starting slot corner. The 21-year-old is everything the Packers needed in the secondary and then some.”

There isn’t a program in the nation that has been as adept at developing NFL talent as Georgia in recent years. If you are lucky enough to land someone from that unit, you are getting a very talented player.

For the Packers, Bullard fills several needs. He will provide new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with the flexibility to mix and match in the secondary depending on the need at the time.

Is the opponent giving looks that require an extra defensive back? Bullard can play in the slot. Need an extra man in run support? Bullard isn’t afraid to mix it up and make plays near the line of scrimmage. The Packers could soon have the best young safety tandem in the NFL with how high Bullard’s ceiling is.