Latest news with #PatrickSurtainII
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sean Payton Reveals Plan for Broncos' Rookie CB Jahdae Barron
Sean Payton Reveals Plan for Broncos' Rookie CB Jahdae Barron originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On April 24, 2025, the Denver Broncos did something they had done only one other time in the past decade – use a first-round pick on a defensive back. Advertisement The Broncos possessed the No. 20 overall pick in the latest edition of the NFL Draft, and they used it to select Jahdae Barron, a two-year starter in Texas' secondary. The last time the franchise made a similar transaction was in 2021, when they drafted 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. During the team's rookie minicamp and OTAs, Barron has played as both an inside and outside cornerback, and he has sometimes appeared in the slot. While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed his plan to have Barron occupy a versatile role in the team's secondary. "He's extremely smart, and he played both at Texas. His instincts are real, real high, so you can give him more than, maybe, some other younger player at the same position," Payton said. "Some guys, you might say, 'Hey, let's leave just him at left corner or right corner before we do it.' He's one of those players that can handle volume." Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (12) during rookie minicamp at Broncos Park Powered by Chenoy-Imagn Images Even though Payton plans to play Barron at both inside and outside cornerback, he does not anticipate adding reps at safety to Barron's repertoire so early in his professional career. Payton used Malcolm Jenkins, a since-retired cornerback who debuted during Payton's head coaching tenure with the New Orleans Saints, as a foil to Barron. Advertisement "I don't have the same vision that I did for Malcolm. Malcolm came in in '09, played nickel and then went to safety," Payton said. "Now, I'm not saying he couldn't in a pinch, but the vision for him is corner, inside and outside." Barron was the first defensive back taken off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, a fitting accolade after he won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the top defensive back in college football. His final season with the Longhorns in 2024 also included consensus All-American nominations, a spot on the All-SEC First Team and a trip to the College Football Playoff. Related: Broncos DT 'On Radar' for New Extension This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Broncos add cornerback Jahdae Barron of Texas to team up with star Pat Surtain II
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Patrick Surtain II has a new partner in the defensive backfield, with the Denver Broncos selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. A ballhawk for the Longhorns, Barron lined up outside, in the slot and in the box as a dime linebacker, and his versatility is expected to allow him to make an impact as a rookie. Barron has elite speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 after picking off five passes and breaking up 11 more. In Denver he'll team up with Surtain, the Broncos' 2021 first-round pick who is coming off his best season, one in which he won NFL defensive player of the year, and cornerback Riley Moss. The Broncos could even give the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Barron a look at safety. For the first time in a decade, the Broncos didn't have to spend their draft preparation poring over quarterback prospects. Bo Nix's successful rookie season in 2024 allowed coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to focus their energies elsewhere. The Broncos got off to a good start with their roster reshaping in free agency, signing safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers and adding tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville and special teams ace Trent Sherfield from Detroit. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Broncos add cornerback Jahdae Barron of Texas to team up with star Pat Surtain II
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Patrick Surtain II has a new partner in the defensive backfield, with the Denver Broncos selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. A ballhawk for the Longhorns, Barron lined up outside, in the slot and in the box as a dime linebacker, and his versatility is expected to allow him to make an impact as a rookie. Barron has elite speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 after picking off five passes and breaking up 11 more. In Denver he'll team up with Surtain, the Broncos' 2021 first-round pick who is coming off his best season, one in which he won NFL defensive player of the year, and cornerback Riley Moss. The Broncos could even give the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Barron a look at safety. For the first time in a decade, the Broncos didn't have to spend their draft preparation poring over quarterback prospects. Bo Nix's successful rookie season in 2024 allowed coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to focus their energies elsewhere. The Broncos got off to a good start with their roster reshaping in free agency, signing safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers and adding tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville and special teams ace Trent Sherfield from Detroit. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints snag Patrick Surtain II in Bleacher Report's NFL draft with current stars
Saints snag Patrick Surtain II in Bleacher Report's NFL draft with current stars The NFL draft is quickly approaching, and as the event grows nearer, you'll see many creative spins on the draft in addition to mock drafts. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox took a shot at the former. Knox used the 2025 NFL draft order but all the player on the board are currently in the league. The only exceptions were quarterbacks. Every team had to keep their current quarterback. Sorry New Orleans Saints fans. The good news is New Orleans gets the Denver Bronco's lockdown cornerback in Patrick Surtain II. Sean Payton has been trying to get his former Saints players, but New Orleans flips the script in this hypothetical. Surtain is a two-time First Team All Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year. His addition to the defense would give the team a cornerback who can take a side of the field or the other team's top wide receiver. Marshon Lattimore's battles with injury deprived the Saints of having that quality on a weekly basis. That trait returning to the secondary has a transformative potential with a trickle down effect. The impact of a lockdown corner allows for safeties to lend more help to the other boundary corner. The overall boost coverage boosts the pass rush. No one is going to turn down adding the DPOY to their team. The Saints have a gaping hole at cornerback, and you won't find many players you'd rather bring on at the position.
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bills player surprisingly earned one vote for 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
The Buffalo Bills defense did not have the best of seasons in 2024. Even so, one player stood out for many in western New York: Cornerback Christian Benford. And Benford's efforts caught the eyes of at least one voter for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II ended up winning the honor. But as revealed, Benford did earn one fifth-place vote for the honor. In 15 games played, Benford notched 64 tackles, including three for loss, with one sack, two interceptions, and 10 passes defended. Pro Football Focus graded Benford a 79.3 overall in 2024, good for their sixth-best cornerback mark in the NFL. The final voting for the DPOTY, Benford included, can be found below: AP Defensive Player of the Year voting: Patrick Surtain II 26-11-2-4-1: 330 Trey Hendrickson 11-10-9-8-2: 205 Myles Garrett 5-11-12-8-5: 162 T.J. Watt 3-7-8-11-3: 114 Zack Baun 2-2-6-5-5: 63 Kerby… — Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 7, 2025
