From now until the 2025 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Syracuse safety/linebacker Justin Barron.
#8 JUSTIN BARRON/S-LB SYRACUSE – 6035, 225 pounds (Senior)
Pro Day Measurements
Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan
Justin Barron
6035/225
9 1/8
31 1/8
76 3/4
40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone
4.68
1.65
4.38
6.98
Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press
10’0”
34
N/A
The Good
— Elite height and solid length
— Good athleticism and experience in the box, slot and as a deep safety
— Active communicator; gets teammates on the same page
— Good mental processing reading run blocks
— Gets downhill quickly on all levels; good wrap tackler
— Good depth and agility in zone coverage
— Reads and flows with the quarterbacks eyes
— Size and agility to match up with tight ends
— Ability as a blitzer and to hassle quarterbacks as a spy
— Was the holder for kicks for two years and played on special teams
The Bad
— Speed is adequate for safety or linebacker
— Play strength overall is adequate
— Needs to improve getting off blocks
— Tackle attempts above the runners waist were less successful
— Lacks strength to stop runners consistently when head on
— Angles in space can be too deep adding to overruns
— Not an ideal match up for wide receivers in the slot
— Flows out of his area in zone with the quarterbacks eyes
— Lateral acceleration is adequate
Bio
— Career: 293 tackles, 156 solo, 20 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT for 46 yards, 14 PBU, 3 FR, 3 FF
— 2024: 93 tackles, 47 solo, 9 TLF, 2 sacks, 1 INT for 41 yards, 3 PBU, 1 FR
— 62 games/47 starts
— Senior Bowl invitee where he met with the Steelers and felt a connection
— Began career as WR, moved to DB the end of 2020, played LB in 2024 due to injuries
— 2023 – 2024 All-ACC Honorable mention
— Two-time team captain
— Tied for team lead in 2023 with 7 pass break ups
— Was the holder for the kicker in 2022, 2023 before a broken hand
— In high school, he was an outfielder/pitcher on the baseball team, small forward on the basketball team
— Mother Sara was a collegiate soccer player at Hartwick College; Father Jason played football at UConn
— Birthday 10/25/2001 (23)
Tape Breakdown
Justin Barron is a versatile defender who played primarily as a safety before switching to linebacker in 2024. As a linebacker he has elite height and adequate weight. As a safety he has very good weight. His length and hands size are solid with good overall athleticism. He has experience playing in the box, slot and as the deep safety.
As a run defender, he is an active communicator getting teammates on the same page. His mental processing is good diagnosing, reading pulling blockers and reading the mesh point. With an open lane he has good downhill acceleration to hit the gaps and get in the backfield. When taking on blockers he has good hand placement and keeps his eyes in the backfield. He is good shedding the blocks of receivers when aligned outside. His angles to the ball from the box are efficient and he is a good wrap tackler. With a very good motor, he consistently flows to the ball.
In coverage from the linebackers spot, he displayed good depth and agility in zone. He reads the quarterbacks eyes and flows with them. He is quick to close on plays underneath him and displays good awareness of receivers entering and exiting his area.
Screen plays were diagnosed and disrupted quickly.
In man coverage, he picked up running backs out of the backfield and has the traits to match up with tight ends. When playing as the deep safety, he has solid range, gets good depth, and has solid understanding of route combinations.
When blitzing he displayed good timing and acceleration into open lanes. He was effective on twists/stunts as a penetrator. As a spy, he showed good decision making and effectiveness to hassle the quarterback by cutting off his running lane, getting his hands up or chasing him down in space.
On special teams, he was used on punt/kick block and was also the holder for the kicker.
When taking on blocks he has adequate play strength and ability to disengage from linemen and tight ends. Tackling attempts above the waist are less successful and can lead to misses. Lacks the play strength to deliver big hits and stop runners head on. In man coverage, he was tight in his hips and doesn’t match up well with wide receivers. In zone, he will get moved out of his area by quarterbacks eyes to open up passing lanes inside of him. When moving laterally in coverage, his change of direction and acceleration is less than when coming downhill.
His angles in space are inconsistent and with a late breakdown led to missed tackles.
Conclusion
Overall, Barron is a good athlete with elite height and solid length. Experience playing in the box, slot, and deep safety with a high motor to chase all over the field. An active communicator with good mental processing and a willingness to stick his face in the fan. He has agility and awareness in zone coverage and keeps his head on a swivel. He can match up with most running backs and tight ends in man coverage and can disrupt the quarterback as a spy.
Areas to improve include overall play strength, disengaging from blocks and keeping his aiming point as a tackler low. In pass coverage, sticking to his area in zone coverage, playing with physicality in man coverage and improving his outside angle in space will be helpful moving forward.
To put it plainly, Barron is an athlete and football player. Going from wide receiver to safety to tight end while being the holder on kicks and working on special team shows he will do whatever it takes to get on the field and help the team. Pinpointing a position for him may not be identifiable yet but there are roles he could execute for teams.
A core special team player for sure. Working in big nickel as a box defender and as a dime backer in subpackages are areas he could excel in as well as matching tight ends in coverage. With added play strength, a role as a Will linebacker could be the long term goal even if he has to start on the practice squad initially.
As a player comp, I will give you E.J. Speed. He is of comparable size and measurables who is also a former wide receiver. A good wrap tackler with range to impact the run and passing game who needed to add play strength and has become a full-time starter.
Projection: Late Day Three/UDFA
Depot Draft Grade: 6.3 – Sixth/Seventh Round (End of Roster/Practice Squad)
Games Watched: 2023 vs Clemson, vs Florida State; 2024 – At UNLV, At N.C. State, Vs Miami
Previous 2025 NFL Draft Player Profiles
CB Jahdae Barron
DL Derrick Harmon
QB Quinn Ewers
RB Omarion Hampton
RB RJ Harvey
EDGE Kyle Kennard
WR Luther Burden III
RB Ollie Gordon II
WR Tre Harris
DL Shemar Stewart
DL Walter Nolen
OT Will Campbell
WR Tetairoa McMillan
DL Rylie Mills
WR Jayden Higgins
WR Emeka Egbuka
QB Jalen Milroe
WR Matthew Golden
RB Ashton Jeanty
EDGE Nic Scourton
DE Jared Ivey
CB Denzel Burke
DT Deone Walker
WR Isaiah Bond
RB Bhayshul Tuten
DT Tyleik Williams
WR Xavier Restrepo
DT Kenneth Grant
TE Colston Loveland
QB Jaxson Dart
CB Zy Alexander
LB Jalon Walker
TE Tyler Warren
QB Kyle McCord
RB Tahj Brooks
QB Cam Ward
CB Benjamin Morrison
OT Josh Simmons
CB Azareye’h Thomas
RB Kaleb Johnson
EDGE Landon Jackson
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
DL Ty Robinson
QB Will Howard
DL T.J. Sanders
CB Trey Amos
EDGE Ashton Gillotte
DL Darius Alexander
WR Tez Johnson
RB Devin Neal
OT Emery Jones
WR Tai Felton
CB Darien Porter
OT Hollin Pierce
CB Maxwell Hairston
DL Omarr Norman-Lott
WR Ricky White III
OG Tate Ratledge
S Jaylen Reed
RB Cam Skattebo
WR Kyle Williams
DL Vernon Broughton
WR Jake Bech
EDGE Josaiah Stewart
EDGE Abdul Carter
RB TreVeyon Henderson
QB Riley Leonard
RB Damien Martinez
RB Quinshon Judkins
WR Jalen Royals
OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
DL Joshua Farmer
DB Malachi Moore
DL Jordan Burch
WR Savion Williams
DL Alfred Collins
LB Jay Higgins
TE Elijah Arroyo
DL Shemar Turner
OT Josh Conerly
CB Quincy Riley
TE Gunnar Helm
DB Sebastian Castro
WR/CB Travis Hunter
iOL Jack Conley
RB Raheim Sanders
CB Will Johnson
CB Cobee Bryant
WR Pat Bryant
OT Anthony Belton
EDGE Mykel Williams
TE Harold Fannin Jr.
WR Arian Smith
DL JJ Pegues
RB Trevor Etienne
S Xavier Watts
OT Charles Grant
DL Nazir Stackhouse
CB Tommi Hill
OL Donovan Jackson
OT Aireontae Ersery
S Malaki Starks
EDGE James Pearce Jr.
TE Jalin Conyers
WR Jaylin Noel
DL Mason Graham
WR Elic Ayomanor
EDGE Elijah Roberts
CB Upton Stout
RB Dylan Sampson
DL Tim Smith
OG Dylan Fairchild
WR Theo Wease Jr.
EDGE Mike Green
CB Mello Dotson
OT Armand Membou
RB LeQuint Allen
EDGE Princely Umanmielen
OG Tyler Booker
RB DJ Giddens
S Craig Woodson
LB Jacob Kiser
WR Zakhari Franklin
S Nick Emmanwori
TE CJ Dippre
LB Danny Stutsman
CB Jabbar Muhammad
TE Mason Taylor
DT Jordan Phillips
LB Kobe King
DL Cam Horsley
DL Cam’Ron Jackson
DL Jamaree Caldwell
LB Jihaad Campbell
RB Jordan James
OL Wyatt Milum
C Jake Majors
DE Jack Sawyer
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
WR Chimere Dike
DL Howard Cross III
OL Marcus Mbow
RB Kalel Mullings
S Andrew Mukuba
OG Luke Kandra
QB Tyler Shough
C Grey Zabel
OT Cameron Williams
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
EDGE Tyler Baron
OL Jalen Rivers
EDGE JT Tuimoloau
OG Jonah Savaiinaea
S Shilo Sanders
WR Ja’Corey Brooks
CB Jacob Parrish
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
EDGE Jah Joyner
S Kevin Winston Jr.
EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo
LB Teddye Buchanan
LB Cody Simon
C Jared Wilson
OT Ozzy Trapilo
RB Jaydon Blue
LB Carson Schewsinger
LB Chris Paul Jr.
DT Thor Griffith
WR Antwane Wells Jr.
LB Jeffrey Bassa
CB Alijah Huzzie
DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
CB Dorian Strong
EDGE Fadil Diggs
QB Shedeur Sanders
TE Terrance Ferguson
LB Carson Bruener
WR Jordan Watkins
RB Donovan Edwards
DL CJ West
CB Jaylin Smith
CB Mac McWilliams
OG Miles Frazier
S Hunter Wohler
EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
WR Elijhah Badger
TE Jake Briningstool
QB Brady Cook
RET Jacquez Stuart
S Jonas Sanker
WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
CB Jason Marshall Jr.
RB Kyle Monangai
DT Aeneas Peebles
DL Warren Brinson
EDGE Bradyn Swinson
S Billy Bowman Jr.
QB Dillon Gabriel
EDGE Barryn Sorrell
S Malik Verdon
WR Dont’e Thornton
RB Breshard Smith
OT Chase Lundt
TE Jackson Hawes
WR Nick Nash
S Lanthan Ransom
TE Oronde Gadsden II
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
OL Jonah Monheim
OT Jalen Travis
CB BJ Adams
WR Will Sheppard
OT Ajani Cornelius
DT Kyonte Hamilton
DB Robert McDaniel
QB Hunter Dekkers
OL Jackson Slater
RB Lan Larison
LB Aaron Smith
OL Thomas Perry
OT Carson Vinson
CB Melvin Smith
OL Marcus Wehr
TE JJ Galbreath
RB ShunDerrick Powell
OL Aiden Williams
RB Marcus Yarns
DE Rovell Carter
CB Isas Waxter
OL Gareth Warren
RB Tre Stewart
S Keondre Jackson
WR Efton Chism II
EDGE David Walker
QB Cam Miller
OL Clay Webb
S TaMuarion Wilson
QB Taylor Elgersma
QB Tommy Mellott
WR Andrew Armstrong
WR Dominic Lovett
WR LaJohntay Wester
EDGE Elijah Ponder
WR Traeshon Holden
S Dan Jackson
DL Yahya Black
LB Que Robinson
RB Phil Mafah
LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
RB Woody Marks
TE Mitchell Evans
TE Luke Lachey
CB Justin Walley
RB Antario Brown
WR Kaden Prather
QB Zach Zebrowski
DL Zeek Biggers
TE Anthony Torres
EDGE Sai’vion Jones
OL Seth McLaughlin
RB Ja’Quinden Jackson
DB Jordan Clark
OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan
RB Jarquez Hunter
CB Zah Frazier
LB Barrett Carter
DB Caleb Ransaw
OL Connor Colby
QB Graham Mertz
OL Walter Lampkin
DT Simeon Barrow Jr.
LB Cody Lindenberg
WR Bru McCoy
EDGE Johnny Walker
QB Kurtis Rourke
QB Max Brosmer
CB Car’lin Vigers
NT Desmond Watson
S J.J. Roberts
WR Kobe Hudson
K Ben Sauls
OT Logan Brown
WR Tory Horton
DL Tonka Hemmingway
DB Gabriel Taylor
RB Montrell Johnson Jr.
S Rayuan Lane III
S R.J. Mickens
LS William Wagner
OL Caleb Rogers
TE Benjamin Yurosek
CB Jermari Harris
OG Torricelli Simpkins III
OT Jack Nelson
DT Ty Hamilton
QB Brett Gabbert
DL Jahvaree Ritzie
QB Seth Henigan
P James Burnip
TE Thomas Fidone II
LB Collin Oliver
DL Elijah Simmons
DL Junior Tafuna
CB Nohl Williams
TE Gavin Bartholomew
C Eli Cox
LB Bam Martin-Scott
LB Smael Mondon Jr.
OL Joe Huber
TE Caden Prieskorn
EDGE Ethan Downs
OG Joshua Gray
S Aubrey Burks
CB Jordan Oladokun
LB Shemar James
RB Ulysees Bentley IV
S Donovan McMillon
iOL Garrett Dellinger
WR Konata Mumpfield
WR Isaac TeSlaa
DL Sean Martin
WR Da’Quan Felton
OG Hayden Conner
EDGE Tyler Batty
TE Mason Tharp
FB Brock Lampe
DL DeAndre Jules
QB Donovan Smith
QB Connor Bazelak
WR Jacolby George
CB Robert Longerbeam
WR Jaylin Lane
CB O’Donnell Fortune
WR Beaux Collins
DB Trikweze Bridges
OL Xavier Truss
DL Eric Gregory
CB Bilhal Kone
LB Eugene Asante
WR Isaiah Neyor
CB Jalen Kimber
