2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jahdae Barron

Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)

5-foot-11 | 200 Pounds

Background

Austin native and three-star recruit who played sparingly in 2020 before starting the last two games he appeared in during the 2021 season, finishing with 18 tackles and three breakups. Jahdae Barron has been the starter ever since, with 78-12.0-1.0, two interceptions and three breakups (two defensive touchdowns) in 2022. Produced 60 tackles, one interception and six breakups in 2023. He followed that up with 67 tackles, five interceptions and 11 breakups this past season, earning All-American honors.

Positives

A versatile, productive three-year starter for a major program. Played mostly corner in 2021, mostly in the slot in 2022 and 2023 and mostly on the outside this past season. His career snaps are pretty evenly divided between the boundary and slot, with about half that many taken as a box defender. Has a relatively sturdy build and what looks like long arms for his size.

Barron played a lot of off-zone coverage from a shuffle technique this past season, showing quick feet to get depth. Shows good patience in off-coverage, doing a nice job of keeping things in front of him. Uses his hands well to feel/disrupt routes when pattern-matching. Sniffs out screens well and can take on and fight through blocks, showing good aggression and extension.

On limited snaps from press looks, shows good physicality to disrupt timing. Made a lot of plays on the ball this past season, showcasing his ball skills and playmaking ability. A willing run supporter who closes well and has improved his angles and tackling throughout his career. Shows good quickness to slip past blockers when working through traffic. Motor in pursuit and physicality as a tackler can help set the tone defensively.

Negatives

Barron is a bit older than some of his peers in the class and will turn 24 as a rookie. Physical and athletic tools are at least adequate but not elite, especially as a boundary option. Texas’ defense didn’t call for him to play a lot of man coverage (or even press/bail technique), so it’s a bit difficult to project him into a man-heavy defense based on his college tape.

His overall approach in coverage is more conservative than anticipatory, creating opportunities for timing-based completions underneath. Sits on some routes in off-coverage. Doesn’t always have the recovery speed to get back in-phase if he gets caught flat-footed. At times, can take false steps or struggle with discipline in his run fits. Could improve his ability to recognize and work through traffic on route combinations that feature natural picks.

Summary

One of the most versatile, experienced defenders in this year’s class, Barron has done a little bit of everything in school over the past four seasons, combining a conservative, patient approach in off-zone coverage with impressive intensity and tackling in the run game. This past season, he also showed he’s capable of making plays as a boundary cornerback in off-coverage.

Since Barron didn’t play much man coverage during the games reviewed, it’s a bit difficult to project him into a man-heavy scheme. His lack of elite athletic traits may make it more difficult for him to stick with faster, quicker opponents at the pro level. The pre-draft process will probably determine whether he works his way into the first round or ends up in the second round.

Projection: Round 1/Round 2

Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports