3 big Panthers takeaways from Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
What were some of the big takeaways where the Carolina Panthers are concerned from an extremely dramatic Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft?
The dust is beginning to settle on another jaw-dropping few hours of drama during the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Things went as expected over the first two selections, but what came next was so exciting as a viewer and eventually saw the Carolina Panthers utilize the No. 8 overall selection on cornerback Jaycee Horn.
This wasn’t to everybody’s liking, especially with Justin Fields sitting on the board after he fell out of the top five. However, as head coach Matt Rhule stated in his availability to media immediately following the pick, the Panthers didn’t bring in Sam Darnold from the New York Jets for nothing.
Only time will tell as to whether this was the right call to make. But few could deny the outstanding physical talent that Horn brings to the table.
The former South Carolina standout locked down some of college football’s most prolific passing weapons over the last two seasons. He gave up just 33 percent of targets thrown his way in 2020, was ranked No. 1 for all SEC players.
This also included top performances against the likes of Kyle Pitts, Elijah Moore, and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith – two of which were taken in the first round.
Without further ado, let’s pick out three big takeaways from Carolina’s perspective during Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft.