4 prospects added to Panthers radar after this week’s pro days
By Dean Jones
Jaycee Horn – CB (South Carolina)
The need for a talented young cornerback to put alongside Donte Jackson is there for all to see. This is an area that the Carolina Panthers should address early in the 2021 NFL Draft even if they do end up signing a veteran in free agency on a short-term deal.
Although there is the obvious problem at quarterback, unless a bold bid to move up the draft is decided upon, then Carolina might be better off taking their chances on building around Teddy Bridgewater. This wouldn’t go down well with large sections of the team’s fanbase considering how much the former first-round pick failed to deliver the goods in critical moments. But winning at the Washington Football Team in Week 16 has significantly complicated their pursuit of landing one of the top signal-callers.
If there is still a need for a cornerback by the time the draft rolls around, then Jaycee Horn will come up for discussion. Matt Rhule was at South Carolina’s pro day to see for himself what the highly-touted prospect can do and make no mistake, the head coach would have left very impressed by what he witnessed.
Horn is lighting fast and has all the reactions associated with a prolific cornerback at the next level. He is not short on confidence – which should serve him well – and even though taking him at No. 8 isn’t likely, trading back into the first round if the prospect falls into the 20s is not out of the realm of possibility.