As the 2024 NFL Draft approached, the Green Bay Packers and their fans had their sights set on Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean.
Despite passing on him in the first round—choosing Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick instead—there was still optimism that DeJean could fall to them at No. 41 overall.
As the second round unfolded, it seemed like that scenario might actually play out. However, the Philadelphia Eagles, who had already taken Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22, made a bold move. They struck a deal with the Washington Commanders to jump from No. 50 to No. 40, where they snatched up DeJean just before the Packers had a chance.
Green Bay responded by trading down, striking a deal with the New Orleans Saints to move back four spots while gaining a couple of late-round picks. None of those extra selections were used on a cornerback, though they did pick Kalen King with a compensatory pick at No. 255 in the seventh round. King spent most of the 2024 season on the practice squad and, despite being promoted to the main roster ahead of Week 14, never played a single snap.
The Packers struggled mightily at cornerback last season. Jaire Alexander was limited to just seven games for the second straight year and could be a potential trade or cut candidate. Meanwhile, Carrington Valentine (No. 54), Keisean Nixon (No. 63), and soon-to-be free agent Eric Stokes (No. 74) all failed to crack PFF’s top 50 cornerbacks list.
Meanwhile, DeJean thrived in Philadelphia. He finished the regular season as PFF’s highest-rated cornerback with an impressive 86.3 grade and capped off a stellar rookie year by intercepting Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 59, returning it for a touchdown in the Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Missing out on DeJean was a painful miss for Green Bay—one that looks even worse given their current need at the position. However, there’s still hope that GM Brian Gutekunst can soften the blow by landing a standout prospect in this year’s draft, especially after an eye-opening NFL Scouting Combine.
The Packers should keep an eye on Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches
While some mock drafts predict the Packers will once again target an offensive lineman with the 23rd overall pick, many others expect them to focus on a cornerback instead.
They’re unlikely to land Colorado’s Travis Hunter or Michigan’s Will Johnson, as both are projected to go much earlier. However, potential options include Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Mississippi’s Trey Amos.
Now, another name has entered the conversation. Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron has been climbing draft boards following an outstanding showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He posted a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash, along with a 35-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump—numbers that have significantly boosted his stock.
Barron’s performance even caught the attention of Kirk Herbstreit, who had high praise for the All-American during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
“I think Jahdae Barron,” Herbstreit said. “That’d be my guy. Yeah, I saw he ran well. He worked out, which is fun to see — some of these guys opt out for obvious reasons. This guy decided to go out and compete.”
“And you understand this better than anybody, one year where he’s out there playing that slot,” he continued. “And playing it as well as anybody. When you say that to people who are fans, when you play the slot, it’s not just, okay, he’s on the inside. He’s in run support, he’s blitzing, he’s playing space, he’s playing man. The versatility is off the charts with him.”
In 16 games for the Longhorns last season, Jahdae Barron delivered an impressive stat line—67 total tackles, 11 passes defended, five interceptions, and a sack. While some scouts see his 5-foot-11, sub-200-pound frame as a drawback, his speed and relentless playing style more than make up for it.
That sounds like exactly the kind of player the Packers could use right now. The question is whether he’ll still be available at No. 23. After passing on Cooper DeJean in the first round last year, Green Bay can’t afford to make a similar mistake this time around.
