Jaycee Horn

Horn has proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL since entering the league in 2021, but he's been riddled with injuries to begin his career, missing a whopping 29 games across three seasons as a pro. Despite Horn's durability issues, the Panthers picked up the former first-round pick's fifth-year option for 2025. The South Carolina product allowed just 28 receptions for 310 yards and no touchdowns during his healthiest campaign (13 games in 2022), and as long as he's on the field, he's expected to bolster a Carolina secondary that ranked bottom five in both passes defended and interceptions last season.

After playing merely three games as a rookie due to injury, Horn featured for 13 contests last term, making 53 tackles and defending seven passes, including three interceptions. When healthy, he's emerged as one of the league's best young cornerbacks. Following an ankle issue this offseason, Horn is expected to be fully ready for Week 1 and will strive to avoid any more stints on the sideline to maximize his value.

Last year's eighth overall pick, Horn looked good prior to breaking his foot Week 3. The injury unfortunately ended his rookie season, capping him at five tackles and one interception. As he returns healthy ahead of the 2022 campaign, Horn is expected to start opposite Donte Jackson. At 6-1, 200 pounds, Horn brings physicality to go with confidence on the outside, which the Panthers will hope translates into a lockdown cornerback in Year 2.

After plying his trade at South Carolina in college, Horn ended up with the Panthers as the eighth overall pick in this year's draft. At 6-1, 205, he's a physical and confident cornerback, and his 4.4 speed gives him the quickness to defend top wideouts. Although he'll need to prove himself in the pros, Horn immediately projects as a starter and centerpiece of Carolina's secondary going forward.