It’s no secret that the secondary plays a pivotal role in Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme, nor that Green Bay’s defense made major strides in 2024, especially after adding marquee free agent signing Xavier McKinney at safety.
However, cornerback remains a legitimate concern for the Packers moving forward, especially given veteran Jaire Alexander’s suddenly lengthy injury history and uncertain future. Besides, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers would be wise to get to work building out a defense using the same formula as surrounding quarterback Jordan Love with young, ascending, and homegrown talent, in the near future.
Those investments on defense could come as early as the NFL Draft.
Packers ‘Perfect’ NFL Draft Target Revealed
As the offseason gets underway, Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher and Josh Liskiewitz put compiled a list of the “Perfect” NFL Draft fit for each NFL team, including Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as the choice for the Packers.
“Jahdae Barron was one of the top CBs in all of college football in 2024,” Plocher and Liskiewitz wrote for PFF. “He was tested 66 times in coverage, allowing just 35 receptions and 272 with no touchdowns. He picked off three balls and broke up another 10 passes. Opposing QBs had a dismal 31.9 passer rating when throwing at Barron.”
Barron was rarely thrown at this past season, and yet was one of the more dominant cornerbacks across college football.
At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Barron logged a career-high 67 total tackles with one sack, and five interceptions this past season. Barron’s traits and production could make him an immediate plug-and-play upgrade in Green Bay’s secondary.
“Jahdae Barron projects as an early-round pick,” The Bleacher Report Scouting Department writes. “With the potential to become a versatile defensive weapon in the NFL. His ability to play multiple positions, combined with his high football IQ, physicality, and ball skills, gives him a high ceiling in a variety of defensive schemes.”
