Why Jahdae Barron Is the Perfect Corner for the Cowboys
By losing Jourdan Lewis to the Jaguars in free agency and dealing with injuries from their two-star corners, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, the Cowboys are in need of a corner. At the same time, one corner in this year’s upcoming draft who is close to Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton said, “He really, really wants to be a Cowboy.” The corner is none other than star Texas Longhorn Jahdae Barron, and he has a real case to be the Cowboys’ 12th overall pick. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer pointed out that they aren’t afraid of drafting the best player available with their first-round pick, and Barron not only fits that mold but will also be a perfect fit for this Dallas defense.
Barron had an impressive fifth year for the Longhorns, where he had 46 solo tackles, 11 pass deflections, and five interceptions. Along with his elite ability in the air defending the pass, his grit and toughness stand out tremendously. Barron is not afraid to make tackles that other corners don't, notably where he met Cam Skattebo face-on in the Peach Bowl. Barron ended his season with a 91.1 coverage grade, a 91.5 zone grade, an 83.3 run defensive grade, and lastly, a 32.4 QBR when targeted, all according to PFF. At the combine, Barron made a lot of noise, where he had a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 35-inch vertical. Barron's stats and athletic ability all speak volumes about his work ethic and talent despite being only five-foot-11.
Barron is arguably the best corner next to Michigan’s Will Johnson in this upcoming draft, but he fits the Cowboys way better than Johnson could. Barron has no issues playing across the defense, lining up at a slot and outside corner, which is the type of player Dallas needs. Drafting Johnson would more than likely force Bland back to the slot position, but with Barron, he can easily play in that spot. The concerns about Diggs’ and Bland's health are also why Dallas could be in play to draft Barron, as he could fill in for either of the two if needed. Now, when all three are on the field at the same time, Dallas would easily have the best ball-hawking cornerback group in the NFL.
