Javon Bullard: 2024 NFL Draft Profile, Projection, Prediction
Few programs have been better at putting players into the NFL during the Kirby Smart era than Georgia, and this year’s draft is no different. Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims and Ladd McConkey are likely to go early. There’s the mid-round guys like Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith and the late-round steals like Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Sedrick Van Pran and a pair of running backs – Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.
Looking to hit double-digits for a third consecutive year, the Bulldogs sent 11 to the NFL Combine earlier in the process. A couple more worked out at UGA’s Pro Day. To preview it all for you, DawgsHQ takes an individual look at Georgia’s players in the draft pool, recapping their career in red and black and providing the latest projections (and a prediction of our own) for where they’ll fall on draft night.
Javon Bullard
Bullard leaves Georgia a fan-favorite with his hard hitting defensive style and a pair of incredibly productive seasons. After seeing the field in 14 of 15 as a freshman, Bullard played in all 15 for the Bulldogs in 2022, starting 10 and stepping into a much bigger role. He finished fifth on the team in tackles with 46 including 7.0 tackles for loss. He was impactful in Georgia’s biggest games, taking down Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker twice in UGA’s victory over the then-No. 1-ranked Volunteers. He also had a sack on CJ Stroud in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Then, against TCU in the National Championship, Bullard had a hand in a trio of turnovers with two interceptions and a forced fumble on his way to earning Defensive MVP honors once again – backing up the one he earned in the Peach Bowl.
Come 2023, Bullard was more than just a productive player. He was a team player too, taking on the responsibility of moving from STAR to safety to replace Christopher Smith. The move showed his versatility and resulted in a career-year with more tackles in fewer games. Playing in just 12, Bullard earned All-SEC selection with 56 stops – good for third on the team – and a pair of interceptions against Missouri and Ole Miss. He had a career-high 10 tackles including a team-high nine solo stops in a road win over Auburn and led UGA in tackles against Florida as well.
Palmer’s Prediction: Bullard is easy to fall in love with as a player. He’s everything you want in a defender with his athleticism and physicality. Add to that an intensity and leadership and you’ve got a great combination. Georgia fans saw it these past two seasons, and some lucky NFL team is likely going to see it for years to come as I believe Bullard will be a really good defensive back at the next level. It doesn’t seem that any safeties are coming off the board in the first round. Bullard might be the first player at his position taken, but it won’t be until the second round. I’m going to say that he goes in the top 50, and I’ve got a sneaky feeling it could be to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 50. They’ve taken a Georgia player before. Will they do it again?
