NFL draft profile: Florida DL Jonathan Bullard, elite run stopper
Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.
48. Florida DT-DE Jonathan Bullard
6-3, 285 pounds
Key stat: Went from 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a junior to 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a senior, switching primarily from defensive tackle to end.
[Follow Yahoo Sports draft expert Eric Edholm on Facebook and Twitter]
The skinny: Bullard kept up the tradition of talented Gators defensive linemen the past few seasons, playing at multiple spots and winning the majority of his battles. He might not be the edge rusher that Dante Fowler Jr. was or the interior penetrator that Dominique Easley was. But Bullard is known as one of the premier run-stuffing linemen in college football.
Best-suited destination: This is tricky. Scouts disagree exactly where Bullard should fit best, so it stands to reason that he could thrive with a team that is willing to rotate its defensive linemen, change fronts and vary roles. He can play anywhere from a 1-technique (shaded over the center) to a 6-technique (head up on a tight end) and could be a fit in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 front. He’s probably not a full-time 3-4 nose or 4-3 3-technique. Teams that use multiple fronts include the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.
Reason he’ll rise in draft: There’s room in Bullard’s game for him to improve as a pass rusher, as it wasn’t something he was asked to do predominantly in college. He has big, strong hands and long arms and a good motor, so he could be the kind of player — like Malik Jackson, who just signed a monster contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars — who develops as a penetrator a few years into his career. Players with Bullard’s positional versatility are not easy to find on the D-line.
Reason he’ll fall in draft: What is his best position? He might not have one defined home, and some teams will knock him for that. In addition, it’s an exceptionally deep defensive line class. Bullard has many good traits but perhaps no elite ones. He also might not max out until Year 3, and not all teams are that patient high in the draft.
Scouting hot take: “Good player, not sure he’ll ever be great. Has a nose for the ball, though. You can win with guys like that.” — AFC area scout
Player comp: Allen Bailey
Expected draft range: Second to third round
Previous profiles
50. Ohio State WR Braxton Miller
49. Indiana OT Jason Spriggs
– – – – – – –
Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
