ENGLEWOOD — First-round draft pick Jahdae Barron enters his second NFL season with heightened expectations of playing in the Broncos secondary.

Just ask cornerback Pat Surtain.

“He’s been studying in the film room. You can tell that he is progressively getting better,” Surtain said last month in minicamp at Broncos Park when asked about Barron. “His IQ and his fundamentals of the game — it seems like he is wise beyond his years going into his second year. I’m excited for him.”

The Broncos selected Barron from the University of Texas at No. 20 overall in the 2025 NFL draft. He joined an already stacked secondary with established starters at every position. That made it difficult to maintain a consistent presence on defense.

Barron challenged Ja’Quan McMillian in training camp, but the veteran earned a starting job over the rookie at nickel. Barron started five games during the regular season but finished the year playing on 30% of all defensive snaps and 19% of all special-teams snaps.

Barron still flashed an elite skill set that made him a first-round draft talent. He logged several impressive open-field tackles and 35 total stops. He recovered a fumble in Week 1 (Titans) and intercepted a pass in Week 8 (Cowboys). Barron opened up about his rookie season in January when players cleaned out their lockers at Broncos Park after the AFC Championship Game loss.

“The day I got drafted, I told you guys I’m just staying committed to the process. I’m not being attached to the results,” Barron said. “It’s that growth. You’ve got to just keep pushing for growth. I’m just trying to pursue self-growth. I’m just trying to keep going. … There’s going to come a time and place when it’s going to be amazing. So, you’ve got to keep going.”

Broncos general manager George Paton called the competition at cornerback a “great problem to have” when asked in February about Barron’s growth entering his second season.

“I thought that Jahdae took big steps,” Paton told reporters at the NFL scouting combine. “Surtain gets hurt, and he goes in and plays a major role, and we win all three games. He’s right on track. Ja’Quan had a great year. … It was (Riley) Moss and Surtain. We love the (cornerback) depth.”

One aspect of Barron’s skill set that might give him an advantage? Versatility.

Don’t be surprised if he pushes Moss as the starting outside cornerback in training camp. Veterans report to Broncos Park on July 28.

“(Barron) has position flex inside-out,” coach Sean Payton said last month during minicamp at Broncos Park. “Then there will be packages I’m sure where in throwing situations … those guys will look at what we’re wanting to do with our (cornerbacks). But he’s out here competing and doing good.”