Jahdae Barron Signs with the Denver Broncos; Shemar Stewart Still Pending
Rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron reported to Broncos training camp after reaching a contract agreement. Shemar Stewart remains the only unsigned first-round pick from last April’s draft. Barron, selected at number 20 by the Broncos, agreed to a four-year contract for a little over 18 million dollars, which includes a signing bonus of 9.8 million dollars. The Broncos were not very concerned about closing the deal with Barron, as both parties had negotiated the payment method of the signing bonus. Stewart, selected at number 17 by the Cincinnati Bengals, three spots before the Broncos chose Barron, has not yet signed. Broncos rookies reported to training camp Wednesday at the team’s complex outside Denver, and veterans are scheduled to report next Tuesday. The Broncos’ lone unsigned draft pick is running back R.J. Harvey, who, like most second-round selections in this year’s draft, has yet to reach an agreement. Barron, who played multiple positions in Texas, including cornerback, nickel cornerback, safety, and linebacker in some special packages, spent much of the Broncos’ offseason program strictly as a cornerback, as coach Sean Payton said he believed that was the best way to acclimate Barron. However, it is expected to be used in various ways in defense if it continues to quickly learn the scheme.“I think when you watch his game in college, you see a very smart player, you see a kid who played multiple positions in college,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said at minicamp last month. “… He’s a very mature and intelligent football player… His ball skills, his combine training… The whole process was really flawless. He was a can’t-miss prospect for us.”
Vance Joseph
Barron played in 55 games at Texas, starting 37. He won the Jim Thorpe Award last season, with 67 tackles, five interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He had 11 tackles in the team’s victory over Arizona State during the college football playoffs.“[He’s] super smart, I’d say that’s the first thing,” said Broncos safety Brandon Jones. “Especially for a rookie. You always ask a lot of questions as a rookie, but he asks the right questions: very eager to learn, obviously super athletic.”
Brandon Jones
