Here’s why it’s imperative that Jaycee Horn stays on the field for the Carolina Panthers in 2023 . . .
By digging into the passer rating allowed stat, Braxton Howard of Pro Football Focus recently rounded up the ten stingiest cornerbacks of the 2022 campaign. In at No. 2, relinquishing a mere 52.6 rating, was Horn.
Howard writes:
After his rookie season was cut short due to injury, Horn bounced back in a big way and proved he was worthy of the Panthers’ first-round selection in 2021. Horn had nine coverage snaps per target, which tied for second with Marlon Humphrey, trailing only Patrick Surtain II.
Horn was also one of just five qualifying corners to not allow a single touchdown last season. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Horn posted a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. Match that with his 95th-percentile arm length (33 inches), 98th-percentile vertical jump (42 inches) and 96th-percentile broad jump (11 feet, 1 inch), and Horn is one of the top athletes at cornerback in the NFL.
In a strong follow-up to that disappointingly short rookie campaign, Horn allowed just 28 receptions and 310 yards on 47 targets. He also posted solid PFF grades in overall defense (71.4), pass rushing (77.7) and coverage (73.2).
But, as was the case in that first year, he did miss some time. It wasn’t the 13 games he was away for in 2021, but Horn did sit out four contests due to rib and wrist injuries in 2022.
And now, in what’s becoming an all too familiar sight, the 23-year-old was ruled out of the remainder of this offseason’s organized team activities and mandatory minicamp due to an ankle and foot issue. Fortunately, however, it is not the same foot he broke at the start of his pro career and he is expected to be back for training camp.
Nonetheless, Horn has shown that he’s an extremely valuable asset when he’s putting up those numbers. He just has to be there to do it.
(Oh, and if you were wondering, in at No. 1 on the list with a 51.8 passer rating allowed was a fella named James Bradberry. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.)
