Jahdae

Barron

The Broncos brought McMillian, 25, aboard as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He impressively won the starting slot cornerback role in 2023 and has manned that spot for the Broncos ever since. The front office retained McMillian via a one-year contract last year, and appears set to do so again, though McMillian’s agent said the cornerback is hoping to sign a long-term deal. That may not happen. General manager George Patton made his top-tier cornerback unit even deeper by spending a first-round pick on former Texas CB Jahdae Barron in 2025. While No. 1 CB Patrick Surtain II will assuredly retain his starting role, the Broncos could end up hosting a competition between McMillian, Barron and No. 2 perimeter CB Riley Moss this year. Last year, Barron logged 155 snaps in the slot, 95 in the box and 90 on the perimeter and could have the talent to compete for either role.

Barron is one of the last first-round picks to sign, getting a four-year, $18.07 million deal with a fifth-year option. He joins a secondary with star CB Patrick Surtain leading the group. His last season out of Texas, Barron won the Jim Thorpe award for best defensive back and now is slated for the Broncos’ slot role. This leaves the Bengals’ Shemar Stewart as the last first-round pick unsigned. The Broncos have just RB R.J. Harvey unsigned among their rookie class - he is one of the 30 second-rounders unsigned due to contract guarantee disputes.

A local product from Austin, TX, Barron (5’11/194) arrived on campus in 2020 and proceeded to play 56 games over the next five years for the Longhorns. He played as a slot corner/safety for most of his first four years in Austin, only starting outside last year when he allowed a stingy 7.7 Yards Per Reception with a 7.9 ADOT. Just three of the 37 receptions he surrendered went for more than 15 yards, and Barron only gave up more than 35 receiving yards in a game one time all year. 63 of his 541 snaps were in press man coverage, with Texas DC Kyle Flood employing a zone-heavy scheme. Barron is a strong tackler who stays square to the ball carrier and is tough to shake with a 9.1 percent missed tackle rate. He thrived in his new role, earning a 91st percentile cover grade with five interceptions and a superb 34.2 NFL passer rating allowed when targeted. Verifying his exceptional tape with a 94th percentile 4.39s 40-yard dash and a solid 8.62 Relative Athletic Score, Barron got himself in conversations as early as the middle of the first round. As a movable chess piece who can line up all over the formation, Barron should be able to immediately step in and play heavy reps as a rookie.

Barron (5'11/175) signed on with the Bears as a four-star recruit back in December. That didn’t last long, though, as he subsequently requested and received a release from his NLI in April. The impetus for the immediate move? Baylor HC Matt Rhule’s jump to the NFL. While some immediate transfers such as this one can be a little messy, Barron’s is actually clean enough, as he’ll be eligible to play immediately for the Longhorns in the fall.

Barron (5'11/175) committed to da Bears over Oklahoma State, Arizona, and other Power 5 schools, including TCU who he was originally committed to. The three-star sits as the No. 56 corner of the 2020 class on the 247 Sports Composite Board, and he’ll likely enter the fold as a rotational piece as a freshman. Barron, however, is talented enough to grab a starting spot early on in his career.