Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers (and their fans) were keeping a close eye on Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean.
But despite passing on him in the first round, opting instead to select Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick, fans seemed pretty confident that he could still land the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year at No. 41 overall.
And as the second round progressed, it looked as if that’s how things would play out for the Packers.
Things didn’t pan out that way, of course, as the Philadelphia Eagles, who’d already taken Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall, worked out a deal with the Washington Commanders to move up 10 spots from No. 50 to No. 40, at which point they selected DeJean.
The Packers then made a trade with the New Orleans Saints, moving back four spots while also acquiring a pair of late-round selections, none of which were used on a cornerback, although they did take Kalen King with their compensatory seventh-rounder at No. 255 overall.
King spent most of the 2024 season on the practice squad, and while he was elevated to the main roster ahead of Week 14, he didn’t take a single snap.
Green Bay, of course, had all sorts of problems at cornerback this past year. Jaire Alexander appeared in just seven games for the second straight season and could very well be cut or traded in the coming weeks. And none of the trio of Carrington Valentine (No. 54), Keisean Nixon (No. 63), or soon-to-be free agent Eric Stokes (No. 74) ranked among PFF’s top 50 cornerbacks.
DeJean, on the other hand, was PFF’s highest-rated cornerback, earning an overall grade of 86.3 during the regular season and then topping off his sensational rookie season with a pick-six of Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.
So, to say that the Packers missing out on DeJean hurt would obviously be a massive understatement. And with Green Bay now needing more help at cornerback than they did a year ago, it looks even worse.
However, the blow could be softened a touch if Gutekunst can land a draft prospect who turned all sorts of heads at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Packers should keep an eye on Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches
While some mock drafts have the Packers once again taking an offensive lineman with their first-round pick at No. 23 overall, many others have them selecting a cornerback.
They’re too far down to get Colorado’s Travis Hunter or Michigan’s Will Johnson, but names like Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Mississippi’s Trey Amos have been floated as options.
Now, however, a new contender has emerged as Jahdae Barron of the Texas Longhorns has seen his stock rise after a fantastic performance in Indianapolis, where he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash while adding a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
Kirk Herbstreit absolutely raved about the All-American in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
“I think Jahdae Barron,” Herbstreit said. “That’d be my guy. Yeah, I saw he ran well. He worked out, which is fun to see — some of these guys opt out for obvious reasons. This guy decided to go out and compete.”
“And you understand this better than anybody, one year where he’s out there playing that slot,” he continued. “And playing it as well as anybody. When you say that to people who are fans, when you play the slot, it’s not just, okay, he’s on the inside. He’s in run support, he’s blitzing, he’s playing space, he’s playing man. The versatility is off the charts with him.”
In 16 games for the Longhorns this past season, Barron recorded 67 total tackles, 11 passes defended, five interceptions, and a sack. Some believe he’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and just under 200 pounds. But what he lacks in size, he undoubtedly makes up for with speed and sheer tenacity.
Sure sounds like somebody the Packers could use right about now. Green Bay now has to worry about him still being on the board at No. 23. They chose against selecting DeJean in the first round a year ago, and they certainly don’t want to make a mistake like that again.
