What impressed the Broncos' Patrick Surtain II was Jahdae Barron who first appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Denver Broncos standout cornerback Patrick Surtain II rose to become one of the best guards in the NFL in his first four years. Judging from the Defensive Player of the Year award he won in 2024, he is the best.
When a player of this body talks to his teammates, it has a lot of meaning. Surtain described Jahdae Barron in OTA this week.
The Broncos selected Barron in the first round at Texas at this year's NFL draft, hoping he would play with Denver's middle school Surtain.
"He brought a lot of versatility to the defense. He was smart, he was smart, he made the game, and it was a big addition to our team," Surtain said of Barron. "I know he's going to play in the team. He's catching up quickly, so it's a great addition to our team."
Barron took more than 500 snapshots in three different alignments in college. According to Pro Football Focus, he hit 1,133 catches, as an outside cornerback, with 917 catches as slot corners and 508 buttons as box safe.
Max Chadwick of PFF said Barron is the widest corner of the 2025 NFL draft.
Barron has had an outstanding career in Texas. The defensive back had 205 total tackles in his final three years, while 20 TFLs. Barron had five interceptions and 11 passes in his final year at Texas.
Jahdae Barron in 2024:
-PFF (@pff) March 28, 2025
🤘90.8PFF class (first place in CBS)
🤘Accepted 33.1 pass ratings
🤘The most valuable non-QB for PFF WAA pic.twitter.com/pbur29malq
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein pointed to Barron's "sultry reporting" under the pass, namely his "route recognition, footwork and power play." Within the area coverage, Barron's "instinct allows him to bounce immediately at the catch point or catch the catcher immediately."
"As the size of physical nickel and tapes are in his favor, he can be an early contributor and future starter, and potentially cross-training as security," Zierlein said.
Barron will have one of the best teachers next to him. Surtain has become the leader and face of the Broncos defense.
Elite Corner has entered three consecutive career bowls and has appointed full careers in two of the past three years. Surtain has collected at least 10 passes, defending the entire four years of his career and intercepting 11 passes.
Patrick Surtain II locks in the best WR of the season🔒
- NFL Stats (@NFL_STATS) October 29, 2022
DK Metcalf -6 Rec, 35 codes
B. Cooks-1 time, 5 yards
B. aiyuk -5 targets, 0 rec
D. Adams -5 Rec, 55 yards
M. Pittman -1 Rec, 4 yards
M. Williams - 4 targets, 0 Rec
G. Wilson -1 Rec, 12 yards pic.twitter.com/pm7ouqz7fc
Barron has a lot of benefits, and among the right teammates next to him, Denver will probably have one of the best CB duos in the league in the near future.
Related: Two former Broncos nominated for College Football Hall of Fame
This story was first appeared on June 5, 2025 by Athlon Sports.