Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints know they will have to come away with an impressive haul in order to compete within the NFC South in the coming season.
Free agency has seen the Saints make a few moves, here and there, but their rinse-and-repeat salary cap games continue to hamper them. New Orleans hasn't had much to work with in terms of finances, but they were able to make a handful of moves and, most notably, add some reinforcements to their secondary.
Bringing in safety Justin Reid and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (for a second stint), the Saints theoretically added two starters. But, New Orleans should be far from done adding talent in their secondary.
The draft is where the Saints will look to next, and if ESPN draft expert Matt Miller's latest prediction comes true, the team could be taking quite the gamble with their first-round pick. In Miller's most recent mock draft, he has the Texans selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron at no. 9 overall.
Jahdae Barron would be a reach for the Saints with the no. 9 pick
This isn't saying Barron would be a bad pick, but inside the top 10 might make some Saints fans question the decision. In some outlets' prospect rankings, Barron finds himself inside the top 15. On others, he's closer to the end of the first round and is sometimes even labeled as a Round 2 player.
Let's get this out of the way: if New Orleans were to trade back and take Barron later in the first, this wouldn't be an issue. But, if they had an opportunity to draft one of Tetairoa McMillan, Will Campbell or Tyler Warren instead, at no. 9, then they should.
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Now, on to Barron's strengths and fit.
Barron is a better fit in the slot due to his size and skill set. He's a menace in the slot, actually. But, that would mean Alontae Taylor then slides elsewhere. I suppose that's a problem for the coaching staff to deal with.
Barron brings the physicality every snap. His strength and scrappy demeanor make him a very difficult matchup in the slot, and he'll also find himself in the back field occasionally, blowing up a play. He does his best when he's closer to the line of scrimmage. Whether it's jamming receivers off the line or threatening a gap via blitz, Barron's presence is felt up front.