Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: CB Jahdae Barron

We proceed our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that might curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. In the present day we’re taking a look at cornerback Jahdae Barron from Texas.

Jahdae Barron

CBTexas Longhorns Senior4-star recruit 5’11”194 lbs

Picture by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

Historical past:

Jahdae Barron was born and raised in Austin, Texas, making him a hometown expertise for the Longhorns. He attended Pflugerville Connally Excessive Faculty in a suburb simply north of Austin. Throughout his highschool profession, Barron emerged as a flexible and highly-recruited athlete. He performed a number of positions, together with quarterback, vast receiver, and defensive again, showcasing his athleticism and soccer IQ.

Regardless of being versatile and a two-way participant, his future on the collegiate stage was clearly on protection, the place his expertise as a cornerback stood out. He was rated as a four-star recruit and dedicated to the College of Texas over provides from different powerhouse packages like Baylor, LSU, and Oklahoma, selecting to remain near residence and play for the Longhorns.

Barron enrolled on the College of Texas in 2020 and noticed restricted motion as a real freshman, showing in eight video games totally on particular groups and as a reserve defensive again. He recorded six tackles, laying the groundwork for future alternatives.

He started to carve out a much bigger position in 2021, taking part in in 9 video games and beginning two. Barron tallied 18 tackles, one sort out for loss, and three go breakups, displaying promise as a dependable depth piece within the secondary.

2022 noticed a breakout for Barron. He performed in all 13 video games, beginning 9, and recorded 78 tackles, two interceptions, three go breakups, a fumble restoration for a landing, and a pick-six. His versatility allowed him to play each cornerback and the “star” place (a hybrid nickel position) in Texas’ defensive scheme.

Barron solidified his standing as a key starter in 2023, taking part in in all 14 video games and incomes All-Large 12 Second Crew honors. He registered 60 tackles, one interception, two pressured fumbles, and 6 go breakups. His efficiency helped Texas win the Large 12 Championship and attain the Faculty Soccer Playoff, although they misplaced to Washington of their first playoff sport.

Barron’s fifth and last season was his greatest. With Texas transitioning to the SEC, he elevated his sport, beginning 16 video games performed by means of the common season and into the CFP. He recorded 67 tackles, 5 interceptions, 11 go breakups, and a blocked punt. His stellar play earned him the Jim Thorpe Award because the nation’s high defensive again, First-Crew All-SEC honors, and First-Crew All-American, cementing his legacy as one in every of Texas’ all-time greats within the secondary.

2024 Statistics

971 Defensive Snaps941 Protection Snaps5 Complete Pressures1 Sack67 Complete Tackles3 Sort out for Loss11 Go Breakups 5 INT1 Fumble Restoration 0 TD Allowed34.2 Passer RTG Allowed2 Penalties

NFL Mix/Professional Day

10-Yard Cut up- 1.50s (86%)40-Yard Sprint- 4.39s (86%)Vert- 35” (36%)Broad- 123” (56%)

Awards

All-America (2024)Jim Thorpe Award (2024)First-Crew All-SEC (2024)Second-Crew All-Large 12 (2023)

Scorecard

Total- 85.8Speed- 84Acceleration- 85Agility- 90Strength- 80Tackling- 90Zone Protection- 92Man Protection- 82Press- 77Discipline- 94

THE GOOD

Barron’s capability to play a number of positions makes him a Swiss Military knife within the secondary.
Very comfy in man protection, zone, and whilst a blitzer off the sting.
He has a knack for finding and attacking the ball.
Has elite instincts and consciousness.
He reads quarterbacks effectively, anticipates routes, and positions himself to disrupt performs.
He tackles effectively in open area and isn’t afraid to combine it up with greater receivers or help in run protection.
He confronted some top-tier expertise over time and managed to maintain tempo.
Has expertise on particular groups, including to his roster attraction.

THE BAD

He can get beat by pure speedsters and struggles to remain engaged if not on his A-game to cowl deep threats.
He’s barely undersized for an out of doors nook and can wrestle in opposition to extra bodily receivers within the NFL. This might push him inside to nickel within the professionals, the place his body is best suited.
Barron excels in zone and off-coverage however struggles with quick-twitch receivers in press-man conditions. His method can get grabby, risking penalties on the NFL stage.
Getting into the NFL at 23, he’s older than some prospects resulting from his five-year faculty tenure, probably limiting his developmental ceiling and training attraction.

THE FIT

Jahdae Barron is a cultured, instinctive defensive again with a confirmed observe report in opposition to high faculty competitors. His versatility, ball manufacturing, and tackling make him a protected guess to contribute early within the NFL, seemingly as a beginning nickelback with upside to develop right into a full-time starter. Whereas he gained’t wow with a few of his athletic measurables, his tape and intangibles counsel an extended, productive profession, suppose a dependable CB2 or elite slot defender reasonably than a lockdown No. 1 nook.

He’s restricted resulting from his measurement and high-point capability, which means within the NFL he’ll greatest function a nickleback defender in a zone-heavy scheme (Cowl 3 or Tampa 2) the place his instincts and tackling can shine. This implies some groups will go within the draft on Barron given how some scouts will worth him. For a participant with restricted to fit solely, is a Day 1 choose too wealthy?

The Cowboys’ secondary is proficient however might use depth and youth, particularly at nickel, the place Jourdan Lewis is ready to develop into a free agent. Exterior nook depth can also be a priority if accidents strike once more like final season when Trevor Diggs and DaRon Bland each missed time. Barron’s greatest match with Dallas can be as a slot nook, changing or complementing Jourdan Lewis. The workforce’s protection would love a cornerback who can sort out and play the ball, this aligns completely with Barron’s ability set.

Whereas Diggs and Bland are entrenched as starters, Barron’s expertise taking part in outdoors at Texas (over 30 begins) makes him a viable CB3 and damage substitute. His versatility to slip outdoors in a pinch is a bonus, although his lack of elite catch up pace may restrict him in opposition to speedier vast receivers. Barron’s capability to play particular groups additionally provides him an edge in incomes a roster spot. The Cowboys worth defenders who can play gunner or cowl kicks, particularly with roster turnover looming.

Jahdae Barron can be a wonderful match for the Dallas Cowboys as a flexible, high-IQ nickelback with quick beginning potential and long-term upside. He enhances Diggs and Bland by including depth and a unique taste, much less of a pure ball hawk, extra of a gritty, all-around defender. He’d thrive within the slot, disrupt brief passing video games, and bolster a secondary that’s on the verge of returning to greatness. If Dallas grabs him within the 2025 draft, anticipate him to contribute early and sometimes, probably turning into a fan favourite.

COMPARISON

Kyler Gordon, Chicago Bears

BTB GRADE

twenty eighth

CONSENSUS RANKING

twenty fifth(Consensus rating primarily based on the typical rating from 90 main scoring companies, together with BTB)