The Denver Broncos made Jahdae Barron their top pick back in 2025, but he's having trouble becoming a starter.
The Denver Broncos drafted cornerback Jahdae Barron with their top pick in 2025, and he’s turning out to be a good player. Barron has had his share of moments, most recently against the Atlanta Falcons in Denver’s preseason opener when he took an interception 97 yards for a touchdown in the Broncos’ 27-7 win.
But Barron is having trouble getting playing time as he continues to compete with Riley Moss and nickel corner Ja’Quan McMillian, and that’s an unexpected development, according to columnist Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
This isn’t how it’s suppoed to go for a first-round draft choice. That player is supposed to be a starter, and possibly even a star. Renck asked defensive coordinator Vance Joseph if Barron is competing for a starting job, and Joseph quickly dismissed the question.
“I see a guy who is stacking days and getting better. He plays multiple spots for us, and that is going to be extremely valuable. He is nickel, dime, sometimes safety. Last year, when Pat was out, he played corner,” Joseph said. “That is his role right now.”
The Broncos secondary has been steadily improving, with the latest development being a step up from Moss, who’s starting to show some playmaking capability he hasn’t displayed much to date. It’s having an impact on Barron, who’s struggling to crack the lineup.
“(Barron) wants more. And I want more for him, obviously. But he has to earn it. It is a good secondary,” Joseph said. “And to have three or four good corners is a good thing.”
Former Broncos’ cornerback Chris Harris Jr. starred for Denver back in the 2010s to the point where he was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team, and he offered a somewhat tepid endorsement of Barron.
“From what I saw a year ago, I thought he had a good season,” said Harris.
There’s been speculation that he could be moved back to safety, but coach Sean Payton shot down that notion, according to Renck. Barron’s lack of development isn’t alarming given the talent in front of him, but it is noteworthy.
“Yeah, not everyone can play both outside and inside equally,” Harris said. “He will probably be in his same role (this season).”
The question right now is beyond that. Moss and McMillian are both up for extensions, and keeping Barron based on his rookie contract will become more costly as decisions about them come due moving foward.
