Overview
Bullard isn't a clean fit as a full-time nickel and might lack the length and range teams seek from a split safety, but he's a good football player with the field awareness teams are looking for. He's going to be a little tight with lateral movements, which will create some throwing windows and missed tackles from time to time, but his route recognition and angles of pursuit help to stabilize his play. There will be some challenging matchups, but Georgia's provided the blueprint by playing him as a big nickel with run support and modest man cover duties -- NFL teams would be wise to follow suit. With the right fit, Bullard should develop into a quality NFL starter.
Strengths
- Plays with above-average football intelligence and instincts.
- Patient in reading and reacting to wide receiver’s actions.
- Spatial awareness helps navigate rub routes and pursuit angles.
- Has the route anticipation to shadow breaks from off-man.
- Attacks blockers with stiff punch to separate as run supporter.
- Centers up and accelerates through the targets as tackler.
Weaknesses
- Could struggle covering large patches of grass as a high safety.
- Short strider lacking comeback speed once he’s beaten.
- Very average burst to close creates limited playmaking range.
- Needs to come to balance a little sooner as an alley runner.
- Tightness in hips creates inconsistency as an open-field tackler.
