When you think of USC, it’s all about Caleb Williams, the likely No. 1 pick of next year’s NFL draft. But maybe the Packers should look at Calen Bullock, his defensive teammate.
Yes, college football is opening this weekend and the NFL doesn’t start until next Thursday, when the Lions face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. But CBS Sports decided to help out the passionate draft nerds by giving them a scorecard for who NFL fans should watch in college football. After all, scouting (and writing about scouting) never stops.
Calen Bullock projects as one of the top safeties who could be available next April. Here’s what Josh Edwards of CBS Sports had to say:
The safety tandem of Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage have not offered any assurances through their play. Bullock has seven total interceptions over the past two seasons. He needs to fill out a bit more but is a ballhawk nonetheless. Green Bay also needs more reliable contributions from its defensive front. Devonte Wyatt needs to take a step forward.
The Packers travel to Chicago to take on the Bears, Sept. 10. And as Green Bay begins play, fans probably acknowledge that the safety spot is the weakest link on the defense. Darnell Savage actually was benched last season because of inconsistent play. Rudy Ford started six games last season and held off Jonathan Owens for the first-team spot.
Of course, these projections are basically meaningless. No team knows where they’ll draft next April, save for the Cardinals. That team appears to be angling to win the Caleb Williams raffle. Most draft analysts predict that Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye will be the top two players in next year’s draft.
Then, you have to factor in other unknowns, like injuries and potential free agent arrivals and departures. Maybe the Packers won’t need to place a high priority on safety. But if Green Bay does decide to use a first-round pick on their secondary, then Calen Bullock is a good player to target.
The safety is a willowly 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Last season, he posted five interceptions, which ranked just outside the nation’s top 10. Pro Football Focus put him on their All-American team and he made the AP’s first-team All Pac 12 list.
His first interception of last year was a beautiful, 93-yard pick six in the season opener against Rice. And he posted fourth-quarter interceptions to help seal wins over Notre Dame and Arizona.
CBS Sports projects five cornerbacks will go in next year’s draft. But Calen Bullock and Miami’s Kamren Kitchens are the lone safeties.
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