As the New York Jets approach the first draft of the Aaron Glenn-Darren Mougey administration, their plans in Round 1 seem fairly straightforward. Drafting a plug-and-play offensive lineman like Missouri’s Armand Membou, LSU’s Will Campbell, or Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. is the most obvious solution to a vacancy at right tackle. If not, drafting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren would add a physical presence over the middle to improve quarterback Justin Fields’ weaponry.
There are whispers of the Jets adding an edge rusher, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham to help fortify the front seven and win in the trenches, a pivot from the offense-heavy rumors that filled offseason timelines.
However, with just hours until the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, another option could emerge.
Making the case for the Jets to draft Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron starts with the vision Glenn has for his football team.
Talk of culture has defined much of Glenn’s hire. New York is going to be tough. It’s going to be physical. It’s going to want it more than its opponents. If you’ve heard that before, it’s because every coach in the history of the game has those buzzwords memorized. It’s merely talk until the players that embody those traits are brought into the building.
At 5-10, 194, Barron isn’t the biggest defensive back. That didn’t stop him from logging 12 tackles for loss in 2022. He’s exceptionally physical for a corner, unafraid to get his hands dirty, willing to take on blocks, and preternaturally good on clicking and closing on ball carriers.
For a perimeter position, Barron certainly fits that vision. There are questions about his fit in New York’s secondary. With sub-30-inch arms and a sub-6-foot frame, Barron isn’t the cleanest projection along the boundary. However, corner Michael Carter II rarely ever deviates from his typical slot assignments, and he’s made himself a ton of money doing so.
Barron has experience across the secondary, spending time at boundary corner, nickel corner, and safety. Andre Cisco and Tony Adams are penciled into starting roles at safety, but it’s a deep room. A role in which Barron moonlights as a third safety (or perhaps taking over a starting role) while alleviating the burden for Brandon Stephens opposite Sauce Gardner would inject ball skills, athleticism, and physicality in the secondary.
With 4.39 speed and adequate jumps, there are few holes to poke in Barron’s athletic profile.
Ultimately, Barron might be better suited for the Jets in the event of a minor trade back, but if the board falls unfavorably, rolling the dice on Glenn’s ideal defensive back is worthwhile consolation.