Grading Panthers position groups on defense after the 2021 draft

Carolina Panthers CBs

The Carolina Panthers have finally found their star running mate for Donte Jackson in Jaycee Horn.

While many have questioned the move to select Horn over someone like Justin Fields or even Patrick Surtain who was taken right after, the former South Carolina Gamecock has the ability to completely change the defense the Panthers are able to field.

After all, a good offense can only take a team so far and the same can be said for a good defense. Just look at the Washington Football Team last season for proof of that point. You need both to succeed in the NFL and the moves Carolina made brought them a lot closer to that perfect balance.

During that 2015 Super Bowl run, it wasn’t just the high flying offense led by Cam Newton that brought the team to the ultimate game. The defense stifled the opposition and took the ball away at a truly remarkable rate, saving poor offensive performances multiple times.

A lockdown defense gives the offense more opportunities to score and better field position lowering the pressure put on them as well.

Horn is a big-bodied, athletic corner with a great ability to find the ball and break up the pass. While he was certainly not a ballhawk by any stretch of the imagination with two interceptions in his career, the potential stud consistently got his hands in the air and kept the opposing receiver from being able to complete the catch or even make a play on the ball.

He also has that scrappy attitude that coaches like in a shutdown corner and Horn doesn’t shy away from a little bit of contact.

Putting a guy like that alongside the hyper-aggressive player that is Jackson – assuming he has gotten rid of the injury bug that plagued him early last season – is a nightmare scenario for opposing passers. Most teams only have one shutdown corner, but the Panthers could legitimately field two next season. Something that I cannot remember ever happening.

With Jackson and Horn both having the ability to lock down an opposing No. 1 target it will give the team freedom to move them around the formation and always have the perfect matchup.

Oh, and there’s also the fact the team signed A.J. Bouye, even if he is suspended for the first two games.

While the former Pro Bowler has struggled to recapture his form and even stay on the field the last few years, you can’t deny his ability. Even if he is more of a mentor or rotational piece at this point with the addition of Horn.

The Panthers also selected Keith Taylor in the fifth round out of Washington who should add some needed depth and possibly compete for a slot position with incumbents Troy Pride Jr. and Stanley Thomas-Oliver III.

Grade: A

Carolina took what was considered a glaring weakness at the start of the offseason and made it a true strength that will make even the best of quarterbacks shy away from taking too many contested shots downfield.

This cornerback room has the potential to be another thieves’ avenue in the making and should get everyone excited for just how high it may take the team.