The Denver Broncos are getting contributions from a remarkable array of players, some well-known, others less so. One is cornerback Jahdae Barron, the team’s number-one draft pick this year—he may not be playing full-time, but when he gets on the field, he’s making an impact.
His latest contribution was a near-interception against the Washington Commanders that almost saved the Broncos a lot of drama. It happened on Washington’s final drive in overtime, and Barron jumped the route being run by Commanders tight end and nearly made the pick. He ended up slamming his hands on the turf in frustration, which earned him some rookie ribbing during the film session the next day.
“We definitely gave him a hard time,” All-Pro teammate Pat Surtain II said in a piece written by Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “But he’s his hardest critic. You can ask anyone in the building. If you talk to him, he’s gonna tell you, ‘I should have made that play,’ more than anybody. I told him, ‘Those opportunities are going to come. You just have to make up for it, that’s all.'”
Barron’s versatility is showing, too, according to both his teammates his and coach Sean Payton.
“He’s covered tight ends and he’s covered receivers, and he’s got real good football IQ,” Payton said this week. “He’s sticky, which is a good trait. He’s got good ball skills. Those are the things you saw repeatedly — and I think that flexibility is important.”
Barron has played a total of 225 defensive snaps so far this season, which ranks 20th out of all rookie defensive backs, according to TruMedia. He was the first cornerback off the board in the draft, so that number might seem odd, but they Broncos were operating from a position of strength with this selection and looking to diversify their coverage options.
As a result, he could turn up anywhere, as Payton noted, whether it’s doing run support, working on the slot receiver or taking a faster wideout. His confidence is noteworthy, and a lot of that comes from his stature and player profile as a first-round pick. The Broncos have also needed the depth he provided when Surtain was out, but now the secondary is at full strength.
“He’s fulfilled that role to the highest potential,” Surtain said. “He’s going out there and making plays, and that helps our team, as a unit defensively, when you’ve got a young guy like that stepping up and being that confident in his game.”