The Denver Broncos pulled a stunner with Jahdae Barron, making him the 20th overall pick of the 2025 draft despite greater needs elsewhere on their roster. He did not have the kind of impact some had hoped.
Barron remains on track for Denver.
Still, as the 2026 draft approaches, Barron offered sage advice to one of his former college teammates that speaks volumes about the pre-draft process that often goes unappreciated.
Jahdae Barron Sends Message Amid Broncos’ Interest in Former Teammate
GettyJahdae Barron #23 of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.
Michael Taaffe, Barron’s ex-teammate on the Texas Longhorns, spoke candidly about his excitement about potentially landing with the Broncos. Taaffe is projected to be a seventh-round pick, with Denver holding three selections in that pass, including the final two of the draft.
Barron had to deliver a sound reality check, though.
“He was like, ‘You don’t even know,’” Taaffe said, per The Denver Post’s Luca Evans on April 19. “Don’t even fixate on a team. Don’t even fixate on a round.”
Evans cited Barron’s introductory press conference, in which the defensive back said he did not expect the Broncos to come calling after having minimal contact with the organization during the pre-draft process.
Notably, reports have since emerged that the Broncos had eyes for tight end Colston Loveland.
However, the Chicago Bears selected Loveland 10th overall. To Barron’s point to Taaffe, Loveland leapfrogged Tyler Warren, whom the Indianapolis Colts selected 14th overall, as the first TE off the board, and he went on to have a historic season for the Bears.
Meanwhile, Barron’s rookie season featured flashes of his skill set and versatility but lacked consistency.
Broncos’ Plan for Jahdae Barron Remains on Track
GettyJahdae Barron #23 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the New York Jets.
Some viewed Barron as a late-first-round option who could even slip into the second round, making the Broncos’ decision stand out even more. Evans noted that the Broncos planned to slow-play Barron’s role, but it remains undefined.
“Entering Year Two, though, the Broncos need to solidify where Barron’s strengths fit best, both for his own development and for the future of their secondary. CB2 Riley Moss is entering the last year of his contract. So is Ja’Quan McMillian. Barron may well have a better shot at competing with Moss at outside cornerback in camp, but the organization has expressed a mixed view of his abilities there,” Evans wrote on April 12.
“The Broncos got plenty of glimpses last season of Barron in big-nickel units, and saw him play heavier snaps outside midseason when Surtain was sidelined with a pec injury. And the rising second-year corner has a chance, this spring and summer, to make it easy for Denver to decide whether to pay McMillian or Moss long-term.”
The Broncos gave McMillian a one-year tender this offseason, while Moss has been bandied about in trade speculation.
Only one of those bodes well for Barron’s role in the Broncos’ defense.
Broncos Have Decisions to Make
GettyJahdae Barron #12 of the Denver Broncos in action against the San Francisco 49ers.
McMillian and Moss were the most-targeted Broncos defenders, and both allowed completion percentages below 60%, per Pro Football Reference.
Barron allowed 62.2% completion in his jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none role.
Solidifying Barron’s role will not only benefit him, but also the Broncos as they work to sort out their plans in the secondary around 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II at one corner spot, with Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga at safety.
Broncos’ Jahdae Barron Sends Telling Message After Uneven Rookie Season