Why the Carolina Panthers finally have a dynamic CB duo in 2021

The Carolina Panthers could finally have a dynamic cornerback duo on their hands in Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn.

The pass-happy world of the NFL takes absolutely no prisoners if a team cannot come up with the right fits within their secondary. This is something the Carolina Panthers found out to their cost in 2020 and these complications ended up costing them in a big way during key moments of close games.

Getting off the field on third-and-long was a constant battle for the Panthers.

One they failed to accomplish more often than not.

This had a lot to do with the personnel at defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s disposal. Injuries also played a significant part throughout a season that came with some significant disruption during the preparation period thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.

There are plenty of excuses to throw around.

But that will not be the case in 2021.

Carolina made some eye-catching signings in free agency and enhanced their options further with what appears to be a very strong NFL Draft class that could see some incoming college recruits make an instant impression at the next level.

Credit to the Panthers for recognizing the positional groups that needed addressing. This has now given them the potentially dynamic cornerback duo they’ve been looking for.

Carolina Panthers have two CBs with enormous promise in Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn.

Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn have the potential to completely shift how Carolina’s defense operates. They are fast, athletic, and have no trouble taking the best opposing receiver and dealing with them accordingly.

Jackson looked a lot like a true No. 1 corner after the bye week once he finally rid himself of the toe problem that made things extremely difficult for the LSU product over the first half of the campaign.

This year is a big one for Jackson, who is heading into the final year of his deal. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, his coordinator is confident the former second-round pick can make the necessary strides and become one of the league’s best next time around.

"“Donte knows that the more consistent he gets … his talent, his movement skills, I don’t know that there’s much better in all of football. So the more consistent he gets, the more big plays. He has exceptional ball skills and exceptional movement. So the more consistent he gets, I think it’s the limit.”"

Getting Jackson help was absolutely imperative this offseason.

The Panthers achieved this in a big way by taking Jaycee Horn at No. 8 overall, resisting the temptation to strengthen their offensive line or take Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.

While it came as a surprise to most on the outside looking in, Carolina identified Horn as one of their primary targets. Although left tackle Penei Sewell would have been a hard pass had he made it past the Detroit Lions, the Panthers got the next best thing and someone they could possibly have taken had the Oregon prospect been on the board.

Horn locked down the best college football had to offer in 2020. He’s also caught the eye during Carolina’s early offseason program to increase excitement about what the player could bring to the secondary from the moment he steps onto the field.

Rookie corners go through some struggles normally during their adjustment. However, Horn has the speed, size, and physicality to ensure complications will be minimal.

His high football IQ is something else that should stand him in good stead. Horn can also lean on Jackson and former Pro Bowler A.J. Bouye when the going gets tough, which is a tremendous security blanket to call upon.

Simply put, the sky is the limit for this tandem and the Panthers are going to benefit substantially as a result. And this has the potential to shift the landscape where Carolina is concerned.