Cornerback Jahdae Barron Puts Himself in Position

I liked Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron in 2023, and I liked him even more in 2024. I walked away from my last evaluation, seeing Barron as a Nickelback (a team’s fifth defensive back). However, I am seeing him as a lot more than that after studying his 2024 film.

The jump between the two years of film was noticeable.

Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), his passer rating dropped from 81.8 (2023) to 34.2 (2024).

Barron was here and he was there.

Barron was everywhere.

This prospect played a whopping 679 snaps at cornerback, 142 snaps in the box, 122 snaps in the slot, 15 snaps at free safety, and 12 snaps on the defensive line (PFF).

What did all equal?

67 tackles (46 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery (sports-reference.com)

What’s the secret to his success?

Barron did a great job keeping the game in front of him and keeping his eyes in the backfield in 2024.

It’s one of the things that really stood out about him.

Doing that gave him the ability to track the ball and to get to where it was going a majority of the time.

Even when a teammate ended up making an interception or a fumble recovery, Barron was usually right there. While his timing could use a little ‘fine-tuning,’ it was good enough to make all the plays he made on the ball. Sometimes, he arrived a little too early and drew a flag, or a tad late, and he could only secure the tackle after the catch.

What’s he lacking?

That coveted burst of short-area speed, and there were a handful of plays where he was a little slow at reacting in zone coverage, and it cost him.

Ohio State got him on an inside slant that would have been a touchdown during the Cotton Bowl, but the receiver dropped the ball. That play illustrated his lack of short-area burst.

Because Barron did a great job reading the quarterback, and he compensated by taking good angles to the ball, this ‘weakness’ didn’t seem to make much difference.

Zone coverage is when a defender is assigned to cover a certain area of the field, as opposed to a specific player. Barron participated in a ton of zone coverage in 2024, and he did great most of the time. However, I counted three times on film that he wasn’t where he needed to be.

Can he play on an island in the NFL?

Yes.

The reps in press man coverage (the most aggressive form of pass coverage for cornerbacks when they come right up on receivers pre-snap and mirror their every move) gave me the clarity I needed.

Barron is handsy and imposing. He gets right in a receiver’s facemask, and he stays there. He looked like an outside receiver’s shadow.

Add in his great instincts and 4.39 speed, yeah, I’m sold.

#7 Jahdae Barron 5-foot-11, 194 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Final NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 51.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 3, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Texas Nickelback Jahdae Barron Moves The Meter (2023: 13 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA, UL-Monroe, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Georgia, Clemson, ASU, and Ohio State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Played 43 snaps at cornerback in 2023 (PFF)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A hybrid who excels in the passing and running game. Special game planning versatility. Knack for ending up at the right place at the right time. Reads the playflow well. Physical nature. High football IQ. Active. Dialed in. Can hold down either side of the field at corner. Able to impede receivers. Understands route leverage. Dependable tackler on screens. Blitzing upside and often keeps himself clean from blockers. Excels in combo man/zone coverages. Provides inconsistent cushions in off-man. Good passing game support. Motivated and dependable run defender. Celebrates teammates’ success. Gets fired up.

Final words

Barron is a cutting-edge defensive back.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.