The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and to prepare for that, we need Vikings fans to be fully prepared in every way. Of course, we will cover players the Vikings will need, but it is important to go beyond that.
In the case of this cornerback report, we will cover the position here at Vikings Wire because the team needs some better talent at the position.
The Vikings have found some short-term solutions with a plethora of free-agent signings during training camp, the biggest being Stephon Gilmore. The team drafted Khyree Jackson last year, who tragically lost his life when his car was hit by a drunk driver. He would be set up for a ton of success in this Brian Flores defense, but without him, they need to draft another cornerback in 2025 because the team needs to find some youthful playmakers to inject into the group.
With that in mind, here is a cornerback prospect who could don a Vikings uniform next season.
Player Information
Player: Jahdae Barron
School: Texas
Year: Fifth-Year Senior
DOB (Age when drafted): December 4, 2001 (23)
Height (unofficial): 5-11
Weight (unofficial): 200 lbs.
Player Background
- 4-star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Played wide receiver and cornerback in high school
- Won the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award (College football’s best DB)
- Consensus All-American in 2024
Career Stats
Games Played: 57
Tackles: 136
Tackles for a Loss: 21
Pass Deflections: 24
Interceptions: 8
Notable PFF Numbers from the 2024 Season
Run Defense Grade: 83.3
Coverage Grade: 91.1
Defensive Stops: 19
Yards Per Reception When Targeted: 7.7
QBR When Targeted: 34.2
Player Strengths
- Very good instincts to find the ball and be reliable in man coverage
- Does a great job of making cuts to the ball whether it is in the air or in the hands of a ball carrier and provides support in the run game
- Provides versatility in coverage where he can be reliable in either man or zone coverage
- Has great physical traits when it comes to his arms and the length he has, uses it to make plays others can’t
- I really like his chances to be a fun, reliable cornerback or to even transition to a free safety role and roam
Trait Grades
Man Coverage: 8
Quickness/Burst: 7
Zone Coverage: 7
Ball Tracking: 7
Instincts: 7
Awareness: 6.5
Run Defense: 6.5
Versatility: 7
Size/Length: 7
Tackling: 6
Player Summary
Jahdae Barron is another very fun, reliable cornerback in what I see as a class full of them. While some have more questions than others, Barron seemingly has answers to those questions. If you think he can be reliable in man coverage, like I do, then throw him outside and let him use his instincts, length, and ball skills to make plays. He can shut down a side of the field in that regard. If you like him more to use his instincts and ball skills in that regard, throw him in at safety, as he is physical enough to provide pass coverage and run support as well. Great football player and a super easy evaluation.
Grade: 6.95
Projected Role: A tweener position-wise but a safe, reliable football player
