Unpacking Future Packers: No. 37, Texas DB Jahdae Barron
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
A common term Brian Gutekunst used last offseason was "interchangeable." It was a quality that he wanted in Green Bay's defensive backs.
"It really helps your defense to be multiple and flexible so teams can't get a bead on what you're doing," Gutekunst said via Packers.com. "So, in a perfect world, quite frankly, between the two safeties and the nickel, those three guys almost need to be interchangeable completely."
Gutekunst followed through with his plan of adding interchangeable parts by drafting Javon Bullard in the second round and trading up to select Evan Williams in the fourth round. During their rookie seasons, Bullard logged 361 snaps in the slot and 259 at safety, while Williams logged 352 snaps at safety and 66 in the slot.
That search for versatile weapons in the secondary has seemingly carried over into this offseason when Gutekunst inked Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal in free agency. During his first four seasons in the league, Hobbs has played 1,662 snaps in the slot and 741 snaps on the boundary.
With Hobbs, Bullard, Williams and Keisean Nixon on the roster, the Packers have plenty of versatile defensive backs for Jeff Hafley.
As Gutekunst continues his quest to add interchangeable parts to the secondary, a player that he could target in the 2025 NFL Draft is Jahdae Barron. The Texas defensive back checks in at No. 37 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A native of Texas, Barron enjoyed a breakout season during his junior year, recording 78 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions. In 2023, Barron recorded 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and six pass deflections. This past season, he recorded 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions and 11 pass deflections.
"Barron's best trait sits between his ears," Luke Easterling, a draft analyst for Athlon Sports, said. "He's such a smart player, with a high football IQ and a great feel for the game. He knows where to be and how to find the ball, and doesn't get lost, no matter his alignment or assignment. He's rarely out of position, and always in position to make big plays for the defense and prevent them going the other way."
Barron is a Swiss Army knife. He can play anywhere in the secondary and excel. During the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, he logged 771 snaps in the slot and was one of the best nickel cornerbacks in college football during the 2023 season. This past season, he showcased he could play on the outside, recording an SEC-leading five interceptions. His most natural position may be in the slot, but he showcased this season that he could play on the boundary and thrive.
"I would definitely test his ability to stay on the boundary, but I think he's at his best in the slot," Easterling said. "That's not a knock, either. Just look at the massive impact top-level slot defenders are having across the league today (Brian Branch, Cooper DeJean, etc.). It's not just a starting position in today's NFL; it's a premium position that has a huge impact on the game, and he's an ideal fit for that role."
Barron is one of the most instinctive defensive backs in the 2025 draft class. He's a heady player with disciplined eyes. He has great field vision and shows good route recognition. Barron drives on underneath routes to either break up the pass or get the receiver to the ground immediately. He has decent footspeed and has the fluidity, and short-area quickness to mirror in coverage on intermediate routes.
Texas CB Jahdae Barron has perhaps the most important attribute for the position -- what I call "match feet." Where the receiver goes, he goes, and his feet lead the way. 34.2 opponent passer rating in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Xn4W7fUJ9j
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 23, 2025
A former track athlete in high school, Barron has the long speed (4.39 40-yard dash) to stick with receivers on vertical routes. The versatile defensive back does a good job of reading the wide receiver's movements. He has natural ball skills and typically finishes the play when he gets his hands on the ball.
"I'll point to his intelligence and instincts," Easterling said. "He's obviously a great athlete, but he maximizes those physical tools with preparation, technique and execution. He always feels one step ahead of the opposition, and isn't surprised by anything he sees on the field."
Barron is tough as nails in run support and appears to have an appetite for the physical side of the game. He explodes downhill and always seems to be in on the action. His lack of arm length could lead to more missed tackles at the next level.
Jahdae Barron (#7) meeting Cam Skattebo in the hole pic.twitter.com/Ifl6sJFlol
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 17, 2025
Fit with the Packers
Barron is as versatile as they come. He's a matchup piece that could play all over the secondary. If he were to land in Green Bay, the Packers could get creative with how they deploy the pieces in their secondary.
It could be Nixon and Hobbs on the boundary with Barron in the slot and Xavier McKinney and Bullard at safety. They could have Nixon and Hobbs on the boundary with Bullard in the slot and McKinney and Barron at safety. It could be Barron and Nixon on the boundary with Hobbs in the slot and McKinney and Bullard at safety.
"I would draft Barron because he's one of the most complete players in the draft, both from a mental and physical standpoint," Easterling said. "His polish and experience mean he'll make an immediate impact, and give him an incredibly high floor, while his athleticism, versatility and playmaking ability give him an extremely high ceiling, as well. Throw in his intangibles as a leader and teammate, and you've got a recipe for a cornerstone player you want to build your defense around."
With Bullard, Williams, Nixon and Hobbs already on the roster, it's hard to see Barron's fit in Green Bay's secondary. Maybe, Gutekunst and Hafley want a bunch of defensive backs that can play everywhere. In a matchup world, Barron is the ultimate matchup weapon. He could man the slot and help shut down slot wide receivers and be an asset in run support and an effective blitzer. Then the next week he could line up on the boundary and thrive.
A team can never have enough talented defensive backs. While the Packers have a solid foundation in place in the secondary, they could stand to add a player like Barron. He has natural ball skills, he's reliable in run support and can move all over the secondary. If he's on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick, Gutekunst could add another interchangeable piece to the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Texas DB Jahdae Barron is a Packers prospect to watch
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