NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah projects the Colts to take a talented Texas DB to keep opposing offenses short of the sticks.
According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select talented Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron in his debut 2025 NFL Mock Draft with the 14th overall pick:
14. Indianapolis Colts
Jahdae Barron
Texas · CB · Senior
I think you’ll see the buzz around Barron continue to grow. He possesses great quickness, instincts and ball skills.
Regarding Barron, the listed 5’11,” 200 pound senior Longhorns cornerback recorded 67 tackles (46 solo), 3 tackles for loss, a sack, 5 interceptions, 11 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery during 16 starts this past season—earning the Jim Thorpe Award, as well as Consensus All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors for 2024 respectively.
Here’s what the draft gurus are saying on Barron right now:
Jahdae Barron is DOMINANT.
9 PBUs, 5 picks, and 0 TDs allowed in 2024 to go with just 279 yds allowed.
He’s the most physical and versatile DB in the class, capable of playing the boundary, safety, or wreaking havoc as a nickel.
Barron is a top 10 player and an elite talent. pic.twitter.com/Ssb4F4p3AW
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 25, 2025
Just finished watching the Texas A&M game. There aren’t many prospects across any position that have been more consistent than #Texas DB Jahdae Barron this year.
Potential to be a Day 1 starter at nickel. pic.twitter.com/BaeATDlsLU
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 3, 2024
Don’t really care where he plays on the next level. Just draft Jahdae Barron. Immediately makes your secondary better.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 21, 2024
I said this to a fellow media member at practice today, but sharing here:
Based on 2024 tape, Jahdae Barron is a better prospect than Malaki Starks.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 25, 2025
Y’all…I think this cornerback class has been slept on a little bit.
Love Travis Hunter. Love Will Johnson. Top 5 players.
Really like Jahdae Barron + Trey Amos. First-rounders.
Injured guys like Shavon Revel + Benjamin Morrison were balling before getting hurt.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 7, 2025
Not the outcome Texas fans wanted last night but have to highlight the play of Jahdae Barron. He was amazing in coverage of Jeremiah Smith.
A Day 3 prospect at this time last year, Barron is in my top 25 now after developing his skills as an outside corner. NFL teams see him as…
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 11, 2025
#Texas DB Jahdae Barron.
Really good teaching points here to take away the arrow screen (or bubble).
• Play over the top of No.2
• Change levels
• Keep the outside arm free
• Shoulder pad to thigh boardPlay with a physical element. And cut-off the ball. pic.twitter.com/GPWpinTLTX
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) May 21, 2024
Draft Jahdae Barron and you draft a player that can play literally anywhere in the secondary. Bring him in and figure it out later. My two cents.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) January 11, 2025
Under new veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts will likely seek to upgrade their secondary with more talent and dynamic ability—particularly on the backend.
While it doesn’t seem as though cornerback is a major need compared to other current defensive holes, with Jaylon Jones, Samuel Womack III, and Kenny Moore II at the top three spots, it’s still a position that could be potentially improved bigger picture—particularly as the unit looks to create more takeaways.
However, Jahdae Barron’s versatility makes him an intriguing option because he can play at a lot of different spots in the secondary for Indianapolis—and be a playmaking upgrade. He makes for at least an intriguing option for the Colts near midway through the first round.