The smart, versatile corner is going to make an already great defense even better.
When the Broncos’ pick of Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron was announced, many in Broncos’ Country probably felt like Tyler Polumbus:
WTF?!! We took a corner??? What happened to Riley Moss being worthy of being a #1 corner one day?
We could have taken 4 positions that I could have made sense of. In no world does a corner make sense….
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) April 25, 2025
But after looking up Barron’s resume, you might have felt more like former Broncos’ cornerback and linchpin to the No Fly Zone Chris Harri Jr:
I like Barron Good pick
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) April 25, 2025
“I love this pick by the Denver Broncos..
Jahdae Barron can do everything and he can play anywhere” ~ @DariusJButler #PMSDraftSpectacular pic.twitter.com/qyrR3RQhD1
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2025
And given that the Broncos are going to be dealing with one of the best tight ends and running backs in the league on the Raiders, plus All Pro quarterbacks all over the AFC, a tackling machine and ball hawk is just the answer.
The AFC is loaded with top QBs and passing offenses so you can never have enough CBs.
Loving the Barron pick more and more
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 25, 2025
.@Broncos @Officia1dae can be used in so many different ways. The defense is going to be a force in the AFC WEST. Time for a new Sheriff? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/56reJ6RZ3E
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 25, 2025
Actor and famous Longhorn supporter Matthew McConaughey even weighed in on the reactions.
not only a great defender, a great young man. @Broncos getting a stud on and off field. Blessin up. @TexasLonghorns @Officia1dae https://t.co/5ocFBKxqMZ
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) April 25, 2025
For anyone worried about the fact that the Broncos didn’t take a running back — arguably their biggest hole to fill — Payton believes the depth for the position gave the Broncos the chance to get the best overall player on the board.
And in fact, many were predicting Barron to already have been off the board by 20.
#Broncos Payton said there was no real desire to move up. That teams up there were looking to move back. He said “You’re hitting a little bit of the honey hole” of the draft” in Day 2. That a lot of players with similar grades offensively will be there. They felt like Barron was…
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) April 25, 2025
George Paton: “A lot of weapons left” in the draft.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) April 25, 2025
But knowing how much Payton likes his intelligent and versatile players, the Barron pick isn’t that much of a shock.
Jahdae Barron was drafted in round 1 pick 20 in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.63 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 378 out of 2761 CB from 1987 to 2025. https://t.co/szQI9nk78D pic.twitter.com/DB37SOe6si
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 25, 2025
George Paton said he and Sean Payton couldn’t stop watching Jahdae Barron film leading up to the draft.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) April 25, 2025
Payton is also really big on culture. By the sounds of it, Barron is going to fit right in with that positive locker room culture Denver has been building.
Jahdae Barron has nothing but class pic.twitter.com/UHmdoxoCBI
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2025
#Broncos HC Sean Payton said after first-round pick Jahdae Barron was drafted and talked to Denver’s leadership, he asked to be put on speaker to thank the scouts and everyone else in the room.
“I’ve never had that happen.”
Spoke very highly of his character.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) April 25, 2025
Next Gen Stats suggests Broncos got disgustingly good value drafting Jahdae Barron https://t.co/Ny7SemdaXe
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 25, 2025
Despite being slightly confused when the Broncos announced a cornerback for their first-round pick, I’m definitely with Ryan Edwards on the selection of Barron.
Personally, I freaking love the Jahdae Barron pick. Never thought he would make it to 20. Homerun selection for the #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) April 25, 2025