5 Carolina Panthers players set to shock the NFL world in 2021

Jaycee Horn – Carolina Panthers CB

The calls for Justin Fields were fierce. But the Carolina Panthers picked up a player who could have a phenomenal NFL career if he reaches the levels expected.

Jaycee Horn was clearly high on the team’s list of targets heading into the draft. If Penei Sewell was No. 1, then the South Carolina cornerback wasn’t far behind.

Matt Rhule went to see the prospect for himself at the Gamecocks’ pro day and came away suitably impressed. Couple this with some outstanding displays against top-tier college talent and it isn’t hard to see why he was so highly thought of within the organization.

Now, expecting too much from first-year corners comes with some real risks.

But Horn might be the player who breaks all the normal rules.

He is fast, athletic, physical, and has no trouble coping with even the most imposing wide receivers. It will be more difficult in the pros – there’s no doubt about that – but Horn is going to take this significant challenge head-on.

The Panthers have been crying out for a true shutdown corner that can assist in press coverage. This was a top need heading into the offseason.

Horn has the look of a real alpha and has already made a lasting impression during Carolina’s early offseason program on teammates, coaching staff, and media members alike. So expectations could not be much higher for a player that’s looking to follow in his father’s footsteps at the next level.