Fans running the mock draft simulator at Pro Football Focus are most frequently sending Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron to the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2025 draft.
Barron, who played all over the defense for the Longhorns, ranks as the No. 9 overall player on both the PFF big board and the top 50 prospect list for Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media.
Barron would be good “value” by the board, and the Packers — who pick at No. 23 overall in the first round — have a need at cornerback.
From PFF: “Barron brings versatility and physicality to the secondary, with the ability to play anywhere in the defensive backfield. He has the strength to shed blocks and make tackles in run support, along with the closing speed to disrupt plays in coverage.”
Barron intercepted five passes and didn’t allow a touchdown pass over 541 coverage snaps in 2024, per PFF’s data. By grades, Barron thrived in both zone coverage and as a run defender. He forced 11 incompletions while playing perimeter cornerback, slot cornerback and in the box as a hybrid linebacker/safety.
Jeremiah called Barron a “Swiss Army Knife” and said he is comparable to Lions Pro Bowl defensive back Brian Branch.
The Packers could use competition at perimeter cornerback, especially if Jaire Alexander doesn’t return in 2025, and a player like Barron could immediately compete for snaps in the slot.
From Packers Wire draft analyst Brennen Rupp:
Barron played everywhere in the secondary for the Longhorns. In 2023 he was maybe one of the best slot cornerbacks in the country. This past season he played primarily on the boundary and did so at a high level. He led the SEC in interceptions and plays the ball like a wide receiver. He has the drive explosion to arrive before the ball and shows great route instincts. He’s a physical downhill defender and stays balanced as a tackler. You could plug him in anywhere in the secondary and he’ll make plays.
Barron (5-11, 200) played almost 2,000 total defensive snaps for Texas over the last three seasons. Some believe Barron could have potential as a nickel/safety at the NFL level, although the Packers already have a player of that type in 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Versatile Texas CB Jahdae Barron is Packers’ most popular pick on PFF’s mock draft simulator
