Denver Broncos Draft Hybrid DB Jahdae Barron with Pick 20

The Denver Broncos get an aggressive playmaker at the defensive side of the position with Jahdae Barron. The Texas nickel cornerback/ safety can move around their secondary and can bring some attitude to the defense. It is interesting that they valued him at his position over a playmaking skill position on offense. Barron was in this range and was mocked in the top 20 in most mock drafts.

Denver Broncos Draft Jahdae Barron with Pick 20

The Broncos bolster their secondary over upgrading at running back or wide receiver by picking Jahdae Barron at pick 20. Their defense now has free agent signing Talanoa Hufanga at safety, along with Brandon Jones. At cornerback, they now have Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss on the outside, while they can play the Texas corner/ hybrid safety in the nickel as a versatile defensive back.

The 23-year-old was considered a top-three cornerback or safety in this draft. The Texas Longhorn at 5’11” and 194 lbs.. was a breakout junior, moving positions in college along their secondary. Barron had great athletic testing and fits right into their defensive backfield.

Final Thoughts

With eight career interceptions, 24 pass deflections, two sacks, 136 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and 21 tackles for loss, Barron can do it all at multiple spots. In 2024, he won the Jim Thorpe Award after a monster season. He is the second corner to be drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, other than Travis Hunter, who was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Barron can be their “joker” on the defense in Denver and can play some safety for the Broncos.

He gives Vance Joseph flexibility to line him up wherever on the secondary that gave up a few big plays to the better offenses in the NFL. Now, they will look to draft a running back, wide receiver, and tight end on days two or three of the 2025 NFL Draft.