At long last, the Carolina Panthers have found their presumptive number-one cornerback. The Panthers selected South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn, as the eighth overall pick, in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Horn's statistics don't jump off the charts as the 6'1", 205-pound CB had 101 total tackles in three years with the Gamecocks, as well as three sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 23 pass breakups. However, the Panthers coaching staff were attracted to Horn for his impressive ability to shut down some of the best receiving threats in college football at the time, such as Jalen Waddle, Jerry Judy, and Kyle Pitts.
"He's a rare physical specimen who also has the pedigree that's hard to find (at the cornerback position)," said Panthers second-year head coach Matt Rhule, during a press conference held shortly after Horn was selected. "He's a special player."
The Panthers have selected eight-straight defensive players dating back to last year's draft where they used all seven of their picks on defensive prospects. They were the first team in NFL history to do so.