Carolina Panthers draft Jaycee Horn No. 8 overall in 2021 NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers made a splash in the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday, selecting South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the eighth overall pick.

Horn was a three-year starter for the Gamecocks and was known for his physical style of play and competitive tenacity.

Some have criticized Horn’s ball skills, because he had two interceptions and 23 pass breakups during his college career. However, there’s no denying he has the demeanor to be a future Pro Bowler.

But Carolina will always have to deal with comparisons between Horn and the widely-perceived No. 1 cornerback in the 2021 class, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II. There’s a real chance Surtain was the safer pick, so Horn will have to really perform well to justify going so high in the draft.