Broncos could soon be faced with major decision regarding former first-round pick

The Denver Broncos used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. Though he didn't feel an immediate need, the Broncos couldn't pass on the value of the player who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. 

However, Barron had a quiet rookie season. He wasn't bad when he was on the field, he just wasn't out there much. Broncos Country still doesn't really know what the team has in him and how much he can be counted on going forward. 

The Broncos will have the same situation on that side of the ball this coming season. Last year, it was argued that the Broncos should look to trade Ja'Quan McMillian following the selection of Barron. I argued against that. McMillian went on to play great for the team before making a season-saving play in the divisional playoff game against Buffalo. 

The Broncos would probably like to get Barron on the field more in year two than the 29.7 percent of defensive snaps he saw as a rookie. That said, it's hard to justify taking McMillian or even Riley Moss off the field as they are strong assets in this defense. 

Jahdae Barron could become a trade asset for the Broncos

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic recently discussed players who were selected in the first round last year who need to have much bigger years in 2026. Barron was on his list. Here was his analysis:

"The versatile former Texas defensive back was certainly a factor last season, playing in every regular-season and playoff game. That said, he was more of a reserve/subpackage defender than a full-time starting outside corner. Some of that, at least early, was likely by design — Barron was sort of a slot/outside corner tweener when the Broncos used a first-round pick on him.The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder didn’t play much in Denver’s playoff win over the Buffalo Bills and saw just five snaps in an AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots.

At this point, we know Barron can at least hang with NFL receivers and be a valuable member of a secondary rotation, and that he’s a great locker room guy with terrific football character. But he was a first-round pick, so the Broncos need to see more consistency from him right away. Ideally, he’ll be starting — or playing starter’s reps — somewhere in the secondary come Week 1."

Sure, that might be ideal, but at whose expense? As stated, neither Moss nor McMillian should have their role decreased unless there is a major step backwards for one of them in the preseason. We didn't see anything from Barron that would indicate he should be a starter and he shouldn't be given that spot based on being a first-round pick alone. 

So what about the other side of that coin? What if the team doesn't increase his role much, or at all, in 2026? The Broncos would be left with a first-round pick who could probably still fetch a solid return if he were sent to another team. 

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The Broncos' front office may have to weigh that decision in the near future. 

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