Texans general manager Nick Caserio had drafted a defensive back with 10 of his past 22 second-round picks since 2009. He followed his trend with the cornerback selection of cornerback Kamari Lassiter with his first second-round pick before following the pick up with offensive tackle Blake Fisher with his second of the team's two second-round picks.
The position that he showed so much affinity for in the second round received more attention from Caserio with the team's third selection. The Texans traded up from pick No. 86 in the third round to pick No. 78 for safety Calen Bullock.
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Bullock's tackles and passes defensed went up year-over-year at USC from 2021 through 2023, despite playing in two fewer games in 2023 than he did the prior season. He's a "jack-of-all-trades" defensive back as he has strength and weaknesses as a cornerback, free safety and strong safety but can perform in each role at an NFL level.
Texans draft grade for Bullock pick
Bullock flies up at receivers, closes quickly and wraps up securely with form tackles. When driving on receivers he attacks the inside shoulder for pass breakups. Bullock plays smart with the play in front of him and takes good angles in zone coverage. He is a safety with cornerback speed and length as seen in his 32.5-inch arms, over a 6-foot-6 wingspan, 4.48 40-yard dash and 1.51 10-yard split.
He was available in the third round for being a bit of a tweener in how it relates to the "home" position. Bullock has a tall, lanky frame. He goes high around pads at times on tackles, trails in off coverage and can be late with his awareness and reactions.
TEXANS DRAFT PICKS 2024: Full list of NFL Draft selections for Texans
The Texans landed a talented, versatile defensive back prospect in Bullock. The biggest issue comes due to compensation. Houston gave up its first of two fourth-round selections with pick No. 123 to move up from pick No. 86 to pick No. 78. Bullock's addition came at the cost of a third and fourth-round pick where his film was that of a third or fourth-round prospect — not "and."
If he develops into the upside of his traits at the Texans figure out how to best utilize him, he could provide the type of return that would make no one care about the amount of of mid-round picks invested.
Grade: C+
