Denver Broncos First-Round Pick Set for an Immediate Impact in 2025

The Broncos were linked to a wealth of offensive players in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but elected to draft cornerback Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 pick, and the former Texas star immediately joins, arguably, the best secondary in the NFL with a chance to start from day one. According to one NFL writer, Barron will not only start but make an instant impact.

Per Dan Parr of NFL.com, Barron is a pivotal player for the Broncos' defense and for a team looking to make back-to-back playoff appearances in a stacked AFC. 

“While it’s still chugging along, the RJ Harvey hype train slowed at least a little with Denver’s signing of J.K. Dobbins in June,” Parr writes. “There’s a crowd in the backfield to sort out with Audric Estimé, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie also competing for time, so it appears Barron is the Broncos rookie with the clearest path to a starter’s share of snaps. We know he has the confidence of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who called him a “can’t-miss prospect” last month.”

Barron joins a defense that allowed the third-fewest points and ninth-fewest yards per game in the NFL in 2024, and the unit features the likes of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain, as well as a host of other names, and Parr believes it’s Barron’s versatility that’ll help him be a hit.

“Barron gives Joseph a do-it-all piece in the secondary; the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner can match up in the slot, play outside or mix it up inside the box,” Parr adds. “The Broncos have their sights set on a playoff run after making it to the dance last season, and they’re banking on an elite defense paving the way. Barron could be fundamental to that effort.”

Cornerback is one of the toughest positions in the NFL, especially as a rookie, but Barron shows all of the qualities of a player who can step in and contribute immediately, even in one of the best secondaries in the NFL.