Why Sam Darnold will define the Panthers’ Jaycee Horn pick

Jaycee Horn alone will not determine whether the Carolina Panthers might the right call at No. 8. Quarterback Sam Darnold will also define this selection.

The cries were there for all to see on social media when Justin Fields fell into the laps of the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall. This was despite the team trading three picks over the next two years to get their hands on Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, which ultimately led to Teddy Bridgewater being shipped out to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a sixth-rounder.

Despite the Panthers reportedly being high on Fields, and with good reason, they opted to select a gifted young cornerback by the name of Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina. This has the potential to significantly improve a secondary that had some real trouble getting off the field in 2020, with the return to fitness of Donte Jackson and the free-agent signing of A.J. Bouye looking like a huge upgrade from the outside looking in.

Horn might end up having a fantastic career, which wouldn’t be a surprise.

However, this pick will not be defined by him alone.

Sam Darnold got a big vote of confidence from the Carolina Panthers.

Darnold will also have his part to play. The Panthers clearly have a tremendous amount of faith in the former No. 3 overall selection finally living up to his potential after a dismal three years at MetLife Stadium and passing up on Fields was another huge vote of confidence in the USC product.

If Darnold does make a better go of things in a different environment, which is no guarantee, then this would be the right call to make with Penei Sewell coming off the board one spot below the Panthers after the Detroit Lions pulled the trigger at No. 7.

There is obviously a flip side to this coin. Darnold might continue to struggle and if this proves to be the case, then the organization will come under significant criticism for not pulling the trigger on Fields when he was sitting there.

That’s out of Horn’s control. If he hits the ground running, then there is little doubt the Panthers have a player with tremendous promise on their hands.

But cornerback is not the most important position on the field.

Perhaps Carolina is biding their time to see how the Deshaun Watson situation plays out. There wasn’t much point bringing in Darnold if they weren’t going to give him at least one season to prove his worth, but at least the Panthers aren’t tied down to a rookie and can go after the Houston Texans signal-caller providing his legal issues have been resolved.

Whether Horn likes it or not, he and Darnold are now linked.

The Panthers’ fanbase is getting tired of cheering losing football. If the quarterback doesn’t do enough to be considered a viable long-term option, then they’ll be more frustrated than ever with the new regime.

Horn could end up being an All-Pro and it wouldn’t be enough in this particular scenario.

Carolina has bet their immediate future on Darnold and sacrificed a signal-caller they were clearly high on in Fields.

What comes next is unclear. But it won’t take long for the natives to get restless if things trend on a downward curve over the opening few games regardless of how well Horn is playing or not.