2 weeks Ago By Troy Renck
Sean Payton did it. Can you believe it? As predicted, he sent tremors through the NFL draft with a shocking move.The most aggressive coach in the league, a man who called an onside kick in the Super Bowl and a fake punt in last January’s playoff game, made one of the most surprising picks Thursday.
He stayed put at No. 20 and took a cornerback.Wait, what?The Broncos selected Texas star Jahdae Barron.
They took a defensive back with two running backs — North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson — on the board. They attempted to move up, according to multiple reports, creating speculation they wanted Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren. The tight ends were snapped up by the Bears at No.
10 and the Colts with the 14th selection.They attempted to move back, likely knowing Barron would be available at the bottom of the first round, creating an easy avenue to add a third-round pick. In the end, they ordered vanilla ice cream and followed their board.
Barron is a chalk pick. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as the eighth-best player overall. So the value is real.
But the reality is sobering.This was set up as a night to rejoice, to celebrate a skill player to boost Bo Nix.Instead of boosting their own passing game, the Broncos continued focusing on preventing completions.
Barron joins the heat-seeking missile of a safety Talanoa Hufanga and rangy linebacker Dre Greenlaw, free agent additions for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph this offseason.Seriously, this could be one of the biggest surprises in Broncos’ history, conjuring images of quarterback Tim Tebow in 2010 and corner Willie Middlebrooks in 2001.This has nothing to do with Barron.
It is his position. Did the Broncos really need another corner? The answer, when no longer viewing through our fantasy football lens, is yes.It just was hard to reconcile based on the past few months, based on the need to invigorate a sorry run game that betrayed the Broncos in losses.
Going with Hampton or Henderson felt like an auto pick – giving Denver a bruiser to enhance an offensive line that won in the run game but was undermined by a wobbly carousel of Javonte Williams, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.So what does this mean? Two things. The Broncos seem to feel comfortable with landing a running back on Day 2, like Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson or Henderson, who ended up falling to Day 2.
And they are not sold on slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian. He is officially on notice. And if Barron learns quickly, he could push Riley Moss to the nickel spot.
“He can do both (inside and outside),” said former Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr., leader of the 2015 No Fly Zone. “He’s a dog.
”Everything about Barron suggests he will be a menace, fitting in snugly with Joseph’s downhill, aggressive scheme. He was the best defensive back in college football last season, eclipsing CU’s Travis Hunter for the award.He brings size, speed and better range than your cellphone plan.
And he’s also a captain. Under general manager George Paton and Payton, the Broncos have a type. They want leaders, players with unquenchable competitive spirit and strong character.
Barron checks the boxes. He was everything for the Longhorns. And still grounded.
He spent the hour before the draft in church, receiving lessons from his pastor to trust his faith. He was a lion all season, no reason to roar or complain about his next stop.Funny thing is, he had a feeling it was going to be Denver.
He had called Pat Surtain II earlier in the week, connected by a shared financial advisor. They did not talk, but that will happen soon. Very soon.
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And I can’t wait to learn from Surtain,” Barron said. “This defense moves a lot of guys around. It is a perfect fit.
”Barron is more versatile than a pair of khakis. He played more than 1,000 snaps outside, more than 900 in the slot and 500-plus as a safety in the box for run support. This is the kind of player who should help stop Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith and Justin Herbert, keeping them in reach for Nix.
In fairness to Payton, he cautioned that one of the best ways to help Nix was by beefing up the defense. We just figured he was kidding.In the end, there was no air strike.
Just a violent tremor as Payton and Paton got their Land Barron.Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams..
