4 Carolina Panthers players who could win individual awards in 2021
By Dean Jones
Jaycee Horn – Carolina Panthers CB
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
There were a few eyebrows raised when the Carolina Panthers took cornerback Jaycee Horn at No. 8. However, we’ve later learned that the South Carolina stud was No. 1 on their big board after a sensational 2020 season with the Gamecocks that was backed up by a phenomenal evaluation process.
Horn will have plenty of responsibility on his shoulders from the word go, which is to be expected of a prospect who is taken in the top-10. The son of former Pro Bowl wide receiver Jor Horn will be tasked with coping with some of the league’s best pass-catchers during his transition to the professional ranks, which is a concern considering rookie corners do tend to go through more growing pains than most.
That being said, Horn has the right sort of characteristics to come in and make a huge difference.
He’ll have two solid veterans alongside him in Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye once the latter returns from a two-game suspension. But he has his sights set on greatness judging by his demeanor during interviews immediately following the pick.
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Carolina could have taken Justin Fields, and Penei Sewell was a hard proposition to turn down had he made it past the Detroit Lions at No. 7. But Horn looks like a star in the making and if he’s able to adjust quickly, the player will be a leading candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.