Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton is already impressed by CB Jahdae Barron

The Broncos first round pick impressed coaches during their rookie minicamp this past weekend.

Broncos first-round pick Jahdae Barron participated in the team’s rookie minicamp this past weekend and looked as advertised. He looked like a top-10 player in this draft, took a leadership role, and impressed the coaches on and off the field.

Head Coach Sean Payton met with the media on Saturday and was asked what he has learned about Barron after watching him on the practice field. Payton told reporters that he looked as advertised. Barron looked smart, savvy, sticky in coverage, and feels like a veteran player instead of a rookie.

I would say he is exactly what we saw on tape: smart, savvy. If you’re watching closely, some people transition and stop very quickly. He has really quick twitch. I’d say he’s sticky in coverage. I think he’s one of those players that already at a young age understands splits. I worry sometimes with the corners that… If you’re defending every route, you’re defending no route. He’s really savvy as to a tight split, he eliminates 80 percent of what could be run. You feel a veteran player.”

This shouldn’t be a huge surprise, as Barron was this type of player while at Texas. A team leader, a smart and instinctive player on the field, a ball-hawk, and just an all-around complete player. Most experts viewed him as a top-10 player in the draft, and the fact that he slipped to 20th overall was a surprise to many, even the Broncos. The league let an absolute stud fall to the Broncos at 20th overall and let them improve their already top-ranked defense.

Barron spoke to the media after their practice on Saturday and was asked about his main takeaways from the Broncos’ coaches so far. He told reporters that they are pushing him and will continue to push him to be great. Barron also gave us an example of his leadership skills, speaking about how he talked to the other DBs at the minicamp and simply told them not to take this experience for granted.

“They’re going to push me. They’re going to continue to push me and everybody, everybody on board, they continue to push. I told the corners today to just take in the moment and be committed to the process without being attached to the results. Everybody doesn’t gets these opportunities to come in here, to have a rookie mini camp. So just not taking it for granted.”

The expectation is that Barron will become the Broncos’ slot corner this upcoming season. However, his versatility will allow him to be moved around based on matchups. He played all over for Texas and is talented enough to do so with the Broncos, but his primary position appears to be in the slot. He’ll join reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II and likely Riley Moss as the starters in the Broncos’ secondary. After additions of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, re-signing nose tackle D.J. Jones, and selecting Barron in the first round of the draft, the Broncos’ defense looks like the best defense in the NFL on paper.

I’m excited to see what Barron can do moving forward, and it’s clear as day that the Broncos got themselves a good one here.