In a bold move to strengthen their defense, the Denver Broncos selected cornerback Jahdae Barron from Texas with the 20th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday.

Barron is set to join an impressive lineup of cornerbacks that already includes rising star Riley Moss and last year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II. This pick has sparked a flurry of opinions from national analysts.

Grading the Selection: Mixed Reviews

Pete Prisco from CBS Sports gave the pick a grade of B-. He praised Barron as a versatile defensive back who can perform in multiple roles—whether that’s as a corner or even safety—but raised the question of whether he’s fit to be a pure corner.

On the other hand, a trio of analysts from For The Win—Michelle R. Martinelli, Christian D’Andrea, and Robert Zeglinski—offered a more critical grade of C+. They voiced their surprise that the Broncos didn’t draft a star running back, suggesting that choosing Barron to enhance a secondary that already looks solid was a puzzling decision. However, they acknowledged Barron’s instinctual play style, strength, and ability to hold his own against bigger targets. They noted that he fits well into the Broncos' exceptional defense, especially as teams increasingly rely on three-receiver formations.

Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame from Sports Illustrated awarded Barron a higher grade of B+. They emphasized his credentials, calling him the best slot corner in this year’s draft after a standout career at Texas, where he played 57 games and racked up eight interceptions, five occurring in his senior season. His size—standing at 5'11" and weighing 195 pounds—makes him well-suited for the nickel position.

Lastly, Charles McDonald from Yahoo! Sports gave Barron a solid B, highlighting the potential of the cornerback trio—Surtain, Moss, and Barron—to become the strongest in the league. He praised Barron’s ability to play aggressively, akin to a safety, while also excelling at open-field tackling.

As the Broncos transition into the new season, the impact of Jahdae Barron’s addition could be a game-changer, potentially molding one of the most formidable secondaries in the NFL.