2 weeks Ago By Broncos Wire
After selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday evening, the Denver Broncos have received positive grades for the pick. View a sampling of grades below.Pro Football Focus: "Elite grade""The versatile coverage defender — the highest-graded cornerback in college football last season (91.
1) with at least 400 coverage snaps — is a natural zone defender with incredible instincts and can slot in at any position in the secondary," PFF wrote of Barron.Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report: A"The Broncos' problem is that they didn't have strong complementary cornerbacks," Sobleski wrote. "Barron immediately solves that issue, regardless of where Denver wants to play him.
"Danny Kelly of The Ringer: A"He’s super versatile, with experience lining up outside, in the slot, and everywhere in between, and should give defensive coordinator Vance Joseph plenty of options with his coverage looks," Kelly wrote. "Barron complements Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and newcomer Talanoa Hufanga perfectly." Rob Rang of Fox Sports: A-"The Broncos were widely projected to take a running back and so some might question this selection, but I love it," Rang wrote of the pick.
"Barron is the reigning Thorpe Award winner, showing not only the coverage skills but the ball-skills and open-field tackling reliability absolutely required if playing opposite a superstar like Patrick Surtain Jr. With the quarterbacks in the AFC West, cornerback is always a need, and the Broncos got a good one."Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY: B+"It's easy to see why the Broncos would gravitate toward Barron, an extremely versatile coverage piece who has a knack for finding the ball in an array of scenarios," Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote.
"Barron can take over the nickel role and help reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Co. counter the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert for years to come." Sports Illustrated: B+Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports: B"Whew, this gives the Broncos a crazy trio of cornerbacks," McDonald wrote.
"Pat Surtain, Riley Moss and Jahdae Barron could be the best cornerback room in the league and will create a true 'no-fly' zone for opposing quarterbacks."Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic: B+Pete Prisco of CBS Sports: B-The Broncos have six picks remaining, including second- and third-round picks on Friday (Day 2), and a fourth-round pick and three sixth-round picks on Saturday (Day 3). Stay tuned as Broncos Wire will be tracking all of Denver's remaining picks -- and grades -- this weekend.
Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL draft grades: Denver Broncos get 'A' for Jahdae Barron.
