How the Packers used Keisean Nixon, Javon Bullard, and Evan Williams in 2024

On the latest episode of Blue 58, we spent quite a bit of time talking about how the Packers used two particular defensive backs.

First up was Keisean Nixon, who we pointed out doesn’t really fit the definition of a slot corner anymore. We’ve cited Justis Mosqueda’s piece on Nixon quite a few times on the show, but we might as well do it again here. Last season, Justis wrote in depth about how the Packers were paying Nixon like a high-end slot defender. But what if he wasn’t really a slot defender? Well, that’s exactly where we find ourselves this season. 

Using alignment data from Pro Football Focus, here’s where Nixon has spent his snaps (by percentage) over the course of his time in Green Bay.

As you can see, prior to this season, Nixon was very much a slot defender. This season? Not so much. And as far as cornerback salaries go, Nixon is hardly elite. How does all of that factor into our evaluation of him as a player? I’m not entirely sure, but I think it’s worth keeping in mind. If our expectations about Nixon were centered on him being a slot corner, but he played slot dramatically less this season than in the past, I don’t know if we can honestly evaluate him in light of our preseason expectations. The picture has changed quite a bit.

Speaking of changing pictures, let me now direct your attention to Javon Bullard. The 2024 second-round pick had an up and down season, but after reviewing how his year played out, I’m a lot more sympathetic to his struggles. Here’s how his snaps broke down week over week.

As you can see, Bullard moved around a lot over the course of the year, even shifting wildly from one week to the next. I can forgive a lot of struggles for a rookie, but I can forgive even more for a guy who really doesn’t seem to have known what his job was going to be on a weekly basis.

And just for comparison, here’s how fellow rookie safety Evan Williams’ snaps looked this year.

I think Williams outplayed Bullard this year, but he seems to have gotten a bit of an easier gig. The Packers asked somewhat less of him this year, but he delivered strongly.