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One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft is former Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. He is a 6'3", 285lb defensive lineman who is considered one of the top defensive line prospects in this year's draft. Bullard is ranked as the 41st overall prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports, and is ranked as the 7th best defensive end in this year's draft.
During Bullard's four-year career at Florida, he totaled 175 tackles, 34 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks and 5 pass deflections. This past season for the Florida Gators Bullard totaled 63 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. In 2015, Bullard earned third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press as well as consensus first-team All-SEC honors.
Jonathan Bullard, Senior, Florida
Height: 6'3" Weight 285lbs 40 time: 4.93 seconds
Arm Length: 33 5/8" Hands: 10"
Bench Press: 23 reps Vertical Jump: 32 inches
Broad Jump: 116.0 inches 3 Cone Drill: 7.31 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.56 seconds
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths:
- High motor guy
- Explosive off the snap
- Powerful
- Strong hands
- Holds up against the point of the attack
- Good nose for the ball
- Competitive in the trenches
- Generates a powerful bull rush
- Above average change of direction skills
- Has a second gear to chase down a ball carrier
- A run stuffer
- Versatile
- Excellent tackler who did give up any broken or missed tackles
- Overaggressive at times
- Needs to improve as pass rusher
- Needs to add some size to his frame
- Gets taken out of plays by double teams
- Not a "quick twitch" athlete
- Lower body stiffness
- Some tweener traits
- Plays through injuries, but is often banged up
Does Jonathan Bullard fit with the Broncos?
I think so.
The Broncos will be looking for a guy who can help replace Malik Jackson, and Bullard could be that guy. He isn't the pass rusher Jackson is, but he is a powerful run stuffer who could start opposite of Derek Wolfe.
Bullard actually reminds me a little of Wolfe. He is a blue collar, high energy, powerful run stuffer who could grow into a better pass rusher, much like Wolfe did.
Bullard is an improving player and the type of player I could see defensive line coach Bill Kollar love coaching up.
He wouldn't be my top choice to replace Malik Jackson, but I think he could turn into a solid NFL player. Ideally, the Broncos would be able to get him in the second round, but likely they would need to draft him at 31 if they want him.