Player
Calen Bullock
S · Texans
Ball-hawking production at this rate in the first two seasons is historically rare for any DB, let alone a third-round pick; it signals elite instincts that only compound as he learns the position.
Two seasons, 9 interceptions — the only rookie-class DB in the NFL's top 6.
TrendCalen Bullock by season (regular season)
| Year | G | Tackles | Assists | INTs | PDs | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 36 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 0 |
| 2025 | 16 | 43 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
All DBs with 9+ INTs over 2024-2025 (regular season)
| Player | Entry Year | INTs |
|---|---|---|
| Kerby Joseph | 2022 | 12 |
| Marlon Humphrey | 2017 | 10 |
| Donte Jackson | 2018 | 10 |
| Xavier McKinney | 2020 | 10 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | 2022 | 9 |
| Calen Bullock | 2024 | 9 |
Bullock arrived as a 2024 third-round pick and immediately produced like a top-tier ball-hawk. 5 INTs as a rookie, 4 more in year two — and he is the only player on the 9+ INT list who entered the league in 2024. Every other name above him has been playing NFL football for at least two additional years.
The quiet part: he's added to his tackle count too. 54 combined tackles as a rookie, 63 in 2025 — deeper-role usage as the Texans have leaned on him in 3-safety packages.
Why it matters. Ball-hawking production at this rate in the first two seasons is historically rare for any DB, let alone a third-round pick; it signals elite instincts that only compound as he learns the position.
Top-5 in the NFL at his position over 2024-2025 — in just two seasons.
RareDB INT leaders, 2024-2025 combined (regular season)
| Player | INTs |
|---|---|
| Kerby Joseph | 12 |
| Marlon Humphrey | 10 |
| Donte Jackson | 10 |
| Xavier McKinney | 10 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | 9 |
| Calen Bullock | 9 |
| Kevin Byard | 8 |
| Byron Murphy | 8 |
Across the 2024 and 2025 regular seasons, Bullock's 9 interceptions are tied for 5th-most among all DBs in the NFL — alongside Stingley Jr., and ahead of established Pro Bowlers like Kevin Byard and Jessie Bates.
The other names on this list are veterans on their second contracts. Bullock is still on his rookie deal and was the 78th overall pick.
Why it matters. Ranking 5th in combined INTs league-wide while on a rookie contract means the Texans are getting blue-chip safety production at near-minimum cost — a contract-value edge that compounds every snap.
Best of the 2024 DB draft class — by two interceptions.
Comparison2024 draft class DBs — first 2 seasons INTs (regular season)
| Player | Pick | INTs (2024-25) |
|---|---|---|
| Calen Bullock | 78 | 9 |
| Kamari Lassiter | 42 | 7 |
| Tarheeb Still | 137 | 6 |
| Kamren Kinchens | 99 | 6 |
| Mike Sainristil | 50 | 6 |
| Nate Wiggins | 30 | 4 |
| Kool-Aid McKinstry | 41 | 4 |
| Tykee Smith | 89 | 4 |
Of every DB drafted in 2024, only Bullock has reached 9 INTs through two regular seasons. The next-best is his own teammate Kamari Lassiter (7) — the Texans run out two of the top three takeaway DBs from the same draft class.
First-round picks Nate Wiggins (30th overall) and Quinyon Mitchell (22nd overall, PHI) haven't matched the production. Bullock came off the board 78th.
2024 DB class INTs through year 2 (regular season)
| Player | INTs |
|---|---|
| Bullock | 9 |
| Lassiter | 7 |
| Still | 6 |
| Kinchens | 6 |
| Sainristil | 6 |
| Wiggins | 4 |
Why it matters. Draft class supremacy in takeaways after two years is a leading indicator of contract leverage — Bullock is already the class's clear takeaway leader heading into his first extension window.
5 INTs as a rookie — tied for the most by any DB in the entire 2024 class.
Milestone2024 draft class: rookie-year INTs (2024 regular season)
| Player | Pick | INTs |
|---|---|---|
| Calen Bullock | 78 | 5 |
| Tarheeb Still | 137 | 5 |
| Kamren Kinchens | 99 | 4 |
| Kamari Lassiter | 42 | 3 |
| Jaden Hicks | 133 | 3 |
In 17 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024, Bullock recorded 5 interceptions — tied with the Chargers' Tarheeb Still for the most by any DB in the 2024 draft class. The next-closest was Kamren Kinchens at 4.
Bullock was the 78th overall pick. Both players ahead of him in rookie INTs were taken in the 3rd round or later.
Why it matters. Producing 5 INTs in a rookie season from a non-top-32 pick is a ball-hawk signal — those instincts don't usually develop, they're already there, which is why this kind of rookie output ages well.
78th pick, top-5 INT pace — the Texans got a starter where teams usually find depth.
AnomalyCalen Bullock career regular-season ledger
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 2 |
| Games | 33 |
| Tackles | 79 |
| Assists | 38 |
| INTs | 9 |
| Pass Deflections | 21 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 1 |
| Draft Position | Round 3, Pick 78 |
Houston has been a draft factory for defensive backs the last few cycles, but the 3rd round is usually where teams take depth, not starters. Bullock skipped that step entirely.
The full ledger after two regular seasons: 79 tackles, 38 assists, 9 INTs, 21 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. The interception column alone puts him in the top 6 among all DBs in the NFL over that span. A 78th overall pick playing like a top-5 safety is exactly the kind of value that earns fifth-year options.
Why it matters. Third-round starters who produce at this level are historically undervalued at contract time — Bullock's extension will define how the Texans build their secondary budget for the next half-decade.
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