If Denver Broncos players had to use one word to describe rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron, it would probably be “smart.”

The first-round draft pick out of Texas is listed as the team’s top backup cornerback on the outside and in the slot on Denver’s depth chart for Week 1. He also has the versatility to fill in at safety if needed.

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“He’s very smart, savvy, and he understands the game pretty well,” star cornerback Pat Surtain said of Barron. “Coaches put him around different positions. I think that’s harder to learn coming in as a rookie, especially with ‘V.J.’ [Vance Joseph]’s playbook, but it feels like he’s handling it pretty well. It seems like he’s up to schedule on things, so I’m excited to see what he brings to the table this year.”

Barron is expected to begin the season as a rotational cornerback, with Surtain and Riley Moss starting on the outside and Ja’Quan McMillian playing in the nickelback role. He’s made a good impression on the team’s veteran defensive backs.

“Jahdae, he’s been really, really good,” safety Brandon Jones said. “I might’ve said this last time — it’s hard to realize he’s a rookie just because of his mindset and how smart and intelligent he is. He flies around, and he always asks a lot of good questions. Which goes back to the other thing, I wish I had asked a lot more questions [as a young player], and good questions at that. He’s always asking the right questions, super athletic, and he’s always around the ball. He’s been a super great addition.”

Barron quickly picked up the defense, and he already has a veteran-approved routine in the NFL.

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“He’s smart,” Moss said. “He comes into the training room in terms of recovery stuff. He knows what to do. He’s gotten a routine, which is kind of the biggest learning curve obviously when you come into the NFL, is you have so much time. How are you going to spend that time? And he’s spent that time well, I think, rehabbing and stuff like that and also just picking up the defense. I think he’s smart and he understands where his help is at, and that’s nice too. Having him out there you can trust him, and it helps all of us.”

Barron is set to make his NFL debut when the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. He might not start on Sunday, but Barron has the talent — and smarts — to quickly win more playing time.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: ‘Smart’ CB Jahdae Barron set to make NFL debut