4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft

Carolina Panthers will use their first-round pick on Jaycee Horn

This will probably come with a trade down, which we will discuss later. But the Carolina Panthers get themselves a cornerback with shutdown potential in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with Jaycee Horn.

There is so much to like about the way Horn goes about his business on the field. He more than held his own against some elite talent during his time with South Carolina and his production against the likes of Kyle Pitts and DeVonta Smith in 2020 was further evidence of him possibly becoming a star at the next level.

Horn comes from good stock – his father Joe Horn was a Pro Bowl wide receiver – and being around the game all his life is clearly something that’s benefitted the prospect enormously. Head coach Matt Rhule went to see first-hand what he was all about at the Gamecocks’ pro day, with Super Bowl-winner and broadcaster Bryan Broaddus claiming recently that Carolina was “in love” with the corner.

Trading down anywhere past perhaps the New England Patriots at No. 15 would be a gamble if they want to get their hands on Horn. However, if they did acquire him, it would give them a superb presence to put alongside Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye next season.

This is a deep class for offensive linemen, so getting better from a production standpoint can wait for one more round.