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Former Denver Broncos All-Pro has no qualms regarding Jahdae Barron's role as a rookie in 2025

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated May 17, 2025 11:52 PM ET

It was a miracle Jahdae Barron was there at No. 20 when the Denver Broncos were on the board. They didn't need a cornerback that high, per se, but they couldn't pass up on him. The best player available strategy worked once again.

Now, they have a chance to recreate the No Fly Zone, their elite passing defense from the 2015 season when they won their Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers. They even returned everyone the very next year and still had the best passing defense in the league.

They already have the best defensive player in the league in Patrick Surtain, they have a top-three defensive line in the league, an up-and-coming cornerback in Riley Moss, signed Dre Greenlaw, signed Talanoa Hufanga, and just had a very good draft class.

In that class is Barron, one of the best defensive players in the draft. He somehow fell to the Broncos, now giving them the chance to put together an amazing defense in 2025, as we have already stated. But Barron, as a rookie, has to be able to play a special type of role in Vance Joseph's system.

The slot position is so tough to play, as it's completely different from what they are asked to do in college. The tight ends and slot wide receivers in the NFL are so much more athletic and just better overall. So, will he be ready for a jump like that?

.@ChrisHarrisJr on Jahdae Barron and what he can expect playing Nickel in the NFL:

“You got to be able to play everything in that slot. I’m pretty sure he’s ready for it” pic.twitter.com/Mn2Soo1DxD
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) May 14, 2025

“Understanding the nickel, understanding how to cover in space, and he did it a lot at Texas, but you know, you're going to see a lot more motioning, a lot more checks at the line, and a lot more stacks and bunches in the NFL," former Broncos All-Pro Chris Harris Jr. said on the DNVR Broncos Podcast.

"You're going to have to beat man on No. 3 and you're running a follow route, or you're running a pivot route. So, there are all types of things in the slot that you've got to be able to learn. VJ [DC Vance Joseph] likes to blitz the nickel, so are you ready to get in there with the 300-pound tackle? You've got to be able to play everything in that slot. I’m pretty sure he’s ready for it."

Barron did a bit of everything at Texas, but he played slot the best when you go back and watch his film. That's not to say he can't do it all at the NFL level, but there is a reason why he will likely take that spot, one that was held down by Ja'Quan McMillan last season.

McMillan had his moments last season. We all remember the game against the Cleveland Browns where he had the very impressive pick-six. But he was also a bit responsible for some of the plays that Jerry Jeudy had in that game. It was very up and down, and you could argue that McMillan was the weak link in the cornerback room.

That's why Barron playing in the slot is going to be so important. And, one of the guys who did it the best during his time on the iconic No Fly Zone defense thinks he's ready. So, who are we to argue?

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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