Jahdae Barron could be the Chiefs' next chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo's defense

Standing 5'11" and weighing 200 pounds, Jahdae Barron is an exceptionally versatile defensive back, capable of excelling both inside and outside. His athleticism is immediately evident when analyzing Texas' game film, as he consistently makes impactful plays from the slot, in man and zone coverage, and even against the run. Wherever the ball is, Barron is never far behind.

As the 2025 NFL Draft creeps closer with the league's annual scouting combine set to start soon, let's take a look at the draft stock for Barron and his potential fit for the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFL Draft profile: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Age: 23 (when drafted)

Height: 5-11 (unofficial)

Weight: 200 lbs. (unofficial)

Chiefs Player Comparison: Trent McDuffie lite

Background

Not a highly touted prospect coming out of high school (3-star), it took Jahdae Barron a few years to rise to stardom. During his first two years at Texas, Barron played in 14 games, tallying only 21 tackles and 4 passes deflected. However, over the next three years, he gained the trust of his defensive coordinator and took a massive step forward. Over his last three seasons, Barron chalked up 8 interceptions (CFB leader), 20 passes deflected, and 3 forced fumbles.

Why he fits for the Chiefs

Playmaking: What truly sets Barron apart is his ability to generate turnovers. Despite competing in the nation’s most challenging conference and regularly facing NFL-caliber opponents, he ranked fourth in takeaways last season, with an impressive total of five. Remarkably, his aggressive, "ball-hawk" style doesn’t come at the expense of defensive stability. Barron hasn’t allowed more than 43 receiving yards in any game this season, a testament to his discipline and situational awareness.

Physicality: Adding to Barron's skill set is his ability to deliver punishing hits on opposing running backs when filling gaps against the run. At times, Barron evokes comparisons to players like Trent McDuffie with his coverage versatility and Brian Dawkins with his ferocity in the run game. He is poised to be a dynamic weapon in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, a true chess piece capable of elevating any scheme.

Versatility: As the cornerstone of the Longhorns' defense, Barron demonstrated exceptional versatility throughout the 2024 season. in 2024, he logged 679 snaps as an outside corner, 122 in the slot, 142 as a box safety, and 15 as a free safety, showcasing his adaptability across multiple roles. In Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme—where versatility among defensive backs is integral to the success of the defense—Barron’s extensive experience across the secondary will provide the flexibility needed to ensure every player is put in the best position to succeed.

Concerns

Age: One of the biggest concerns for Jahdae Barron is his age. At 23 (age when drafted), Barron will be 2 years older than former first-round pick Trent McDuffie when he was selected by the Chiefs in 2022. Age doesn't always predict success in the NFL, however, it does indicate a player's ceiling. If Barron does not have success early, the likelihood that he will develop into a superstar player later in his career is incredibly low.

Handsy-ness: Jahdae's other problem is that he can be too physical throughout the route, leading to pass interference and defensive holding penalties. While he was only officially penalized once, there were multiple instances where he would have drawn a flag with NFL officials.

Analysis

With Brett Veach's impeccable ability to find and draft productive and effective defensive backs late in the draft, it might seem as though spending a first-round pick on another cornerback would be a misuse of their resources. However, adding another versatile piece to Kansas City's defense would make them the deepest secondary in the league by far.

Jahdae Barron could be a better version of former Chiefs defensive back L'Jarius Sneed and provide a perfect counter punch to Trent McDuffie, allowing him to stay in the slot and be where he is most effective. If Barron is available at pick 31, Veach should not hesitate to draft this future NFL superstar.

For more draft analysis check out Price Carter's Big Board and check out some of our other player profiles here at Arrowhead Addict!