Joseph Haden attended the University of Florida, where he played college football as a starting cornerback. Haden was recognized as a unanimous All-American and was named the National Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. In the Gators' victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he had 10 tackles and three pass break-ups.

Haden was drafted seventh overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft. In 2014, he was voted into his first Pro Bowl Selection.