Texas Defender Jahdae Barron ‘Good Second Round Value’

First Round Mock NFL Draft Analyst Rajvir Bal sees an NFL future for University of Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron.

It’s time to look at one of the most versatile prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jahdae Barron, defensive back, University of Texas.

Defensive back?

What is he ⎯is he a cornerback? Is he a nickelback? Does he line up at safety?

I said ‘defensive back,’ because Barron lined up at all three of those positions on game film, plus linebacker too.

Linebacker?

That’s right ⎯Barron was all over the place, and that versatility only adds to his value. It also made my evaluation intriguing and intricate. I had to break down Barron on film as he shifted around the field taking snaps.

His versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed either.

Over 25% of the other draft platforms have a first-round projection on this Longhorns’ defender (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

…But is he a first-round value on game film?

Background

Barron was a 4-star prospect out of high school and committed to Texas in the Spring of 2020 (247Sports).

He was a fifth-year senior for the Longhorns this season.

Barron’s stats:

2023:

• 14 games, 60 tackles (32 solo), 1 interception, and 6 passes defended

2024:

• 16 games, 67 tackles (46 solo), 5 interceptions, and 11 passes defended

#7 Jahdae Barron 5-foot-11, 200 pounds 
Rajvir Bal’s 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)
Projected by 27.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 8, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film reviewed: Georgia, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Michigan, (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Versatility-Where Will He Play At the Next Level?

Barron is a nickel back or slot corner (traditionally known as the #3 cornerback on the field who covers the opposition’s #3 or ‘slot’ receiver).

That’s what makes the most sense to me when I watch his film.

I think this is where he would thrive. Being a nickel back will allow him to thrive using his exceptional instincts, and will probably prevent sticky situations that would likely manifest in one-on-one coverage if he were one of the two starters on the outsides.

A Darn Good Football Player

Barron can just make things go his way.

At first glance, it can seem like luck, but if you go beyond the surface it’s talent and ability. He has a nose for the football and flies into plays like a heat-seeking missile. He’s always in the mix and he doesn’t ever disappear on film (which is a great sign). He gives up few big plays and he is solid. He’s also active in games and dictates the flow.

Problems in Coverage

Barron is not nearly as physical as I would like to see. He could get bullied off the line of scrimmage if he was lined up in press-man coverage (lined up tight to the receiver pre-snap and assigned to shadow him everywhere he goes). When Barron is in zone coverage (defenders are responsible for covering specific areas of the field instead of specific players), he tends to drift away from his receiver, which will allow NFL quarterbacks to exploit him.

Once he realizes where the ball is going, he can get there fast, but that first part is the problem. Barron has a lackluster reaction time. I saw him giving up short little ‘four-yard gains,’ that turned into ‘eight-yard gains.’

Ten Adjectives

Versatile. Instinctive. Active. Dynamic. Opportunistic. Reliable. Aggressive. Inconsistent. Talented. Undersized.

NFL Crystal Ball

Minnesota Vikings

Buffalo Bills

Green Bay Packers

Pro Comp: Kenny Moore II

Moore was an undrafted free agent in 2017 with New England and since has gone on to become the highest-paid Nickelback in NFL history with the Colts (3 years – $30 million)

Final Thoughts

This prospect is a good, not great NFL Draft prospect. He’s a good second-round value.

Barron will have a long career as a starting nickel.

Rajvir Bal is a high school student from the Virginia area. He grew up a rabid Washington Redskins fan, attending more than 30 games, and has enjoyed the team’s high points and low points throughout his life. He plays varsity football and basketball. Rajvir has taken an interest in the NFL Draft since middle school when his team picked Montez Sweat and Dwayne Haskins in the first round. His favorite NFL player ever flips between Rob Gronkowski and Brett Favre, and his favorite athlete is LeBron James. He has been writing his own scouting reports since 2020, and is excited for the opportunities FirstRoundMock provides.