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The Denver Broncos went away from what pretty much every mock drafter thought in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and ended up selecting the player they felt was the best on the board at No. 20, Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron.
Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top cornerback last season, beating out No. 2 overall choice and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter for that honor. He now joins a secondary that includes Pat Surtain II, Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga as the Broncos are looking to build a defensive force in an offensive-loaded AFC West division.
Here is a look at some of the scouting reports that were out there on Barron in the pre-draft process.
Jahdae Barron Scouting Report
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network
"Jahdae Barron is the “every-man” of the 2025 NFL Draft CB class. He was originally recruited as a cornerback, then transitioned to safety early in his Texas career, then transitioned back to CB in 2024, and won the Jim Thorpe Award with five INTs, 11 PBUs, and three TFLs.
Barron can play safety, nickel, or boundary CB, and his versatility is no accident. It’s a product of his energized athleticism, smooth fluidity, swivel flexibility, elite processing ability, and unhinged two-phase proactivity. Simply put, you want him on your team.
With sub-30″ arms, some teams may be weary about taking Barron. He also has relatively little press-man experience, and those features add a layer of uncertainty for him. But in zone-heavy schemes, Barron can be a dynamic Swiss army knife and a core player."
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Charlie Campbell, Walter Football
"Barron started out as a backup for a couple of years before seeing the field in 2022. He totaled 78 tackles with two interceptions and three passes broken up. As a junior, Barron totaled 60 tackles with an interception and six breakups. As a senior, Barron had his best season and came up with a lot of clutch plays for the Longhorns. He totaled 67 tackles with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up.
For the NFL, Barron is a nickel cornerback who can be a dangerous defender in the middle of the field. Barron has good instincts that put him in a position to make plays. Barron will quickly adjust and has ball skills with late hands to break up receptions, and his instincts lead to him making some impressive interceptions. Barron is a gritty player who battles and plays hard. He also is a willing tackler in the ground game.
Barron definitely has some limitations for the NFL. While he has quality size for a nickel, he does not project to be an outside corner. Barron also has speed limitations that could hurt him with running with pro speed receivers. He could struggle to carry verticals and keep fast wide receivers from beating him over the top. He also lacks burst, twitch, and explosion to play off man coverage. Barron really is fit to be a zone corner playing in the slot where he can use his vision, instincts, and anticipation to make plays."
Cory Giddings, Bleacher Report
"Jahdae Barron is a highly versatile defensive back with the ability to play multiple positions, including cornerback, nickel, and safety. Standing at 5'11" and 200 pounds, Barron has demonstrated the instincts and adaptability needed to contribute in almost any role within a defensive backfield. Known for his physicality, high motor, and football intelligence, Barron has shown that he can impact the game in both the run and pass game. Depending on the NFL team and scheme, his skills give him the potential to wreak havoc on the field, making him a valuable asset at the next level."
"Big nickelback was in the right place at the right time throughout his impressive 2024 season. Barron played smothering coverage underneath, fueled by route recognition, footwork and play strength. His instincts allow him to pounce on catch points or tackle pass catchers immediately from zone. However, he lacks recovery speed deep and can be a little too grabby at the top of the route in man. Tackle technique in run support is a shade inconsistent but looks easily correctable. The size and tape work in his favor as a physical nickel who can be an early contributor and future starter, with the potential to cross-train as a safety.
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