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Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: S Calen Bullock, USC

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Carter Landis | Last updated 1/13/24

The Las Vegas Raiders are focusing on the 2024 NFL Draft, looking for talent at every position.

While the Raiders had a good season defensively, they may opt to add more young talent to that side of the ball to truly push them over the top and become an AFC playoff team.

The Raiders could add more talent to their young secondary, truly solidifying that core. There are several good, young defensive backs in this year's class.

That includes USC safety Calen Bullock, who recently declared for the draft. Bullock finished his Trojan career with 151 total tackles, 15 passes defended, and nine interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was named First-Team All-Pac 12 in 2023.

Bullock is one of the tallest safeties in this class at 6-foot-3. He is tall and slender, weighing just 190 pounds. Bullock has long arms and elite athleticism, allowing him to fly downfield to make tackles or stick in coverage against faster receivers.

Bullock has some versatility. He played all over the field at USC in 2023, splitting time as a box safety, free safety, and slot cornerback. This versatility could be enticing to the Raiders.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bullock was targeted 44 times, allowing 26 receptions for 282 yards and five touchdowns. While these numbers do not look enticing on the surface, Bullock is a solid coverage safety who likes to ball-hawk and take risks when the ball is in the air.

Bullock’s most enticing trait is his length. His footwork is impressive, and he is incredibly fast, and his long strides allow him to close quickly on ball carriers. He is an all-around athlete with excellent coverage skills.

While he is a great athlete, Bullock is very raw and often does not identify and diagnose plays very quickly. His slender frame is a problem at times as well, as he does not have the strength to finish tackles. He is not overly physical either, and his match-up often beats him for that reason.

Bullock is a great athlete who can force turnovers for a defense. He is expected to be a mid to late second-round selection.

If the Raiders are enticed by his athleticism and bank on him getting stronger, Bullock could be a good fit in the Silver and Black.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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