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NFL mock drafts this time of year are relatively unscientific and unreliable. Many of the pundits' predictions ultimately end up being way wrong.
Regardless, it's still fun to sort of peak ahead. With this in mind, 2021 Baldwin High graduate Javon Bullard currently is receiving plenty of first-round mentions in the various 2024 NFL mock drafts floating around the internet. Bullard is a rising junior for the Georgia Bulldogs and fresh off of Defensive MVP awards in both the College Football Playoff semifinal and national championship game.
Bullard also is the proud owner of two national championship rings...
Bullard is hoping to become the sixth Milledgeville man ever drafted by the NFL. Leroy Hill, a 2001 Baldwin High graduate, was drafted at the tail-end of the third round in the 2005 NFL Draft, which currently is the highest selection for any Baldwin County native. Hill was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2004, as well as first-team all-conference.
Earnest Byner, now 58, was drafted in round No. 10 of the 1984 draft, back before the draft was shortened to seven rounds. Sulecio Sanford, a BHS and Middle Tennessee State product, was taken in the seventh round of the 1999 Draft. John Milledge Academy's J.T. Wall was selected in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL draft. The aforementioned Hill went in round No. 3 in 2005, while BHS and Florida Gator product Maurice Hurt was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft.
In terms of local products who've appeared in NFL regular season games, there are five. Byner had the most prolific pro career, racking up more than 13,000 total yards in his 13-year career, while also winning a Super Bowl ring and making a Pro Bowl. Sanford appeared in several games for the Chicago Bears in 2000. Hill was a starting linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks for four years and appeared in a Super Bowl. Nick Harper was an undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State who actually began his career in the Canadian Football League before catching on with the Indianapolis Colts. Harper went on to have a very successful nine-year career, winning a Super Bowl ring with the Colts in 2005 and starting at cornerback. Hurt, meanwhile, started several games on the offensive line for the Washington Redskins during his three-year stint in the league between 2011–2013.
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Bullard's big game for the Dawgs in video
Baldwin's Bullard makes PFF's All-SEC first team, honorable mention All-American
It was a day that Bullard and Dawg Nation will never forget
It's a family thing for the Bullards
Bullard, Dawg teammates get their championship rings
Mayor proclaims "Javon Bullard Day" in the city of Milledgeville
The oft-cited Pro Football Focus has Bullard ranked as the 23rd-best draft-eligible player for 2024.
USA Today, meanwhile, forecasts Bullard being drafted at the tail end of round 1...
USA Today
247 Sport has Bullard pegged as the final pick of the first round.
NFL Draft Buzz has Bullard ranked as the 17th-best prospect for the 2024 draft...
NFL Draft Buzz
Yardbarker.com has Bullard going 25th to Baltimore...
Yardbarker.com
Finally, Yahoo has Bullard at No. 26.
The 2024 NFL Draft is all set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
