The Athletic has live coverage of the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read more of The Athletic’s coverage from the 2025 NFL Draft: Best Players Available | Draft Grades | Winners & Losers
The Denver Broncos enter the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24 with seven picks over the three-day draft.
The Broncos added to their secondary in the first round Thursday, selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 pick.
Much of the buzz around the Broncos’ offseason has surrounded adding a “Joker” to coach Sean Payton’s offense — a multi-faceted weapon who can keep defenses guessing and complement second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Denver added tight end Evan Engram in free agency to fill the role, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want another, especially at running back. Whether it’s a “Joker” or not, the Broncos could use a feature back after now-departed Javonte Williams led the team with just 513 rushing yards last season. Needs also include tight end and defensive line.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Broncos pick.
Round 1
No. 20: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
How he fits
Potentially this year’s version of Cooper DeJean and/or Brian Branch, Barron was an elite playmaker in the secondary at Texas throughout his career, and he should be a real weapon in the slot (and maybe at safety) for the Broncos.
Denver could have gone a number of different ways here — Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka would have been a great fit, but he obviously went one pick ahead of No. 20. Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and now Barron will give Denver a very sturdy secondary. Barron is an elite-character player and was a true leader in college. We’ll see how he holds up on the outside, but given the talent around him, he might not need to. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Barron holds a master’s degree in coverage schemes and has done a great job developing the mental part of his game, giving himself a head start keying and diagnosing the quarterback and blocking scheme.
Though he doesn’t have the movement burst for easy recoveries, he plays with supreme confidence and physicality without crossing the line, especially in zone coverage (two pass-interference penalties over his last 35 games in college). Overall, Barron doesn’t have the top-tier size that most teams prioritize at the position, but he trusts his instincts and competes with the toughness and ball skills to hold up versus pass or run. Some teams view him as a nickel-only prospect, while others see his value to play multiple positions across the secondary.
Nick Kosmider’s analysis
Why corner Jahdae Barron was too ‘unique’ to pass up for the Broncos
Broncos draft CB Jahdae Barron: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Grade: B-plus
Round 2
No. 51
Round 3
No. 85
Round 4
No. 122
Round 6
No. 191 (from Cardinals)
Round 6
No 197
Round 6
No. 208 (from Eagles)
(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)