4 battles to watch closely at Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp

Jaycee Horn vs. Terrace Marshall Jr.

Iron sharpens iron.

This will undoubtedly be the most anticipated matchup at rookie minicamp and one that is sure to improve both players greatly. Jaycee Horn and LSU‘s Terrace Marshall Jr. were the Carolina Panthers’ top-two selections during the 2021 NFL Draft and will be relied upon to make an immediate contribution to the team’s success during their rookie campaigns.

Horn was the No. 8 overall selection and arrives in the NFL with a family pedigree that is matched by incredible college production. The former South Carolina star has shutdown cornerback written all over him and although it might be a baptism of fire initially, the Panthers appear confident in the prospect rising to be a Pro Bowl talent in the coming years.

Carolina caused a stir by taking Marshall after receiving information that the New Orleans Saints were about the select him with their very next pick at No. 60. This might look petty on the outside looking in, but it’s yet another fine example of the new-look front office reacting to an ever-changing pressure cooker in a bid to progress the organization.

Let’s not forget, Marshall is a first-round talent that the Panthers got at No. 59. He joins a loaded wide receiver room and should see a ton of opportunities in one-on-one situations, so going up against a stout press cover player like Horn at minicamp will be a useful experience, to put it mildly.