2021 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

Jan 9, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Draft
Sep 19, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) celebrates his first NFL interception against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Grading every rookie from the 2021 NFL Draft: Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers

2021 Stats:

  • 5 Tackles
  • 1 Pass Defense
  • 1 Interception
  • 3 Games played

The one stat that really stood out for Jaycee Horn is the number of games played. The Carolina Panthers ended up getting him on the field for just three games as he suffered a fractured foot wound up ending his rookie season far too soon.

In the games he did play in, Horn proved to be a very capable player and gives the Panthers hope that going forward he can be a Pro Bowl player.

Horn, the son of former New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn, was a star for South Carolina and had only one question coming into the league, which was his ability to create turnovers. He was a shutdown player but had just two picks in his collegiate career, both coming in the same game against Auburn.

The fact that he already did record an NFL interception in just three games should help alleviate some of those concerns — which were overblown, to begin with. The truth is, Horn is a very talented young player who should be a starter for many years to come but that doesn’t mean we can accurately grade him just yet since the sample size was so small.

Grade: Incomplete