Jahdae Barron is ready to contribute as a rookie for the Denver Broncos because of his versatility and skill set.
When the Denver Broncos selected Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it shocked NFL fans everywhere.
The majority of the conversation in the weeks before April’s celebrations focused on selecting a tight end, running back, or receiver to provide Bo Nix with additional offensive support. Drafting another early pick didn’t appear likely, and most draft experts weren’t considering it because of the roster’s strong defensive backs and the current defensive player of the year, Patrick Surtain II.
However, the Broncos did not expect a player who was listed in the top 10 on their board to be available when they needed him. Although the terms of the trade were still being worked out with the New York Giants, General Manager George Paton informed Giants General Manager Joe Schoen that the deal was off once Barron became available.
The rest is history.
Throughout his collegiate career, Barron, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner, made a significant contribution to the Longhorns. Barron recorded 226 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions, and 24 passes defended during his five years in Texas. In his final season, he recorded a career-high five interceptions, which earned him a spot on the first team of the SEC and an All-American award.
Barron had a lot of experience at a slot corner and boundary, and in some defensive packages, he was also a box safety, as explained below. He will be a great asset to the Broncos defense because of his versatility and ability to play all over the secondary. For the majority of the season, their secondary performed admirably. But when Riley Moss suffered a knee injury late in the season, they had trouble.
The Broncos defense’s back end is set to have an even greater effect in 2021 now that Barron and Talanoa Hufanga are involved. What can we anticipate from this past draft’s top pick for the team? Let’s have a look.
Profile of the Player
Age: 23 | College: Texas | Experience: Rookie | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 194 lbs
Broad: 10’3″ | Vertical: 35″ Arm Length: 29-3/4″ | Hand Size: 9-1/2″ | Wingspan: 73-3/4″
40-yard dash time: 4.39 seconds | 10-yard split time: 1.55 seconds 3. Cone: 7.05 s
Jahdae Barron’s prospects with the Broncos in 2025
Defensive coordinators are under increased pressure to try to counter the NFL’s new passing attack.
Finding a player who can play several roles in the secondary is equally as difficult as finding one who can generate pressure up front and have a shutdown corner. Having a player like Barron on defense is essential because teams are becoming more inventive in how they use their players, whether they are slot receivers, tight ends, or running backs.
Given Barron’s skills and body of work, Paton said after the draft that he thought the Eagles had unearthed a “joker” on defense. Barron’s versatility and skill at coverage are complemented by his strength as a tackler and his willingness to work hard against the run. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and head coach Sean Payton both believe that tackling is a must-have skill, and the team may have selected the best tackling defensive back in the previous draft.
Although I think Barron will be used throughout Joseph’s system, I also think he will displace Ja’Quan McMillian as the starting slot cornerback during training and the preseason. That might be the best fit for him and should provide him with plenty of opportunities to make plays with the ball and contribute to defensive turnovers. Barron fits the profile of an impact starter in the Broncos’ secondary overall, and his rookie season could see a lot of snap counts.
Concluding remarks
Some might have been curious about Barron’s selection. Though when you sit down and analyze it a bit further you realize how smart it was.
It’s uncommon to find a player that is proficient in several different areas. Furthermore, a blue-chip talent seldom makes it to the second round of the first round. Pushing your chips in on those players is usually a wise move when they are accessible.
Barron has the physical prowess, football acumen, and mentality to become a Pro Bowl or All-Pro player in the future, in my opinion. I anticipate that he will play a lot of snaps as a rookie and be an important part of the Broncos defense. As a result, he should have plenty of opportunities to make plays with the ball and cause trouble for opposition attacks.
