The bandwagon for Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn hit an early snag and went out of working order this past season. But, according to NFL.com contributing columnist Adam Schein, it’s time to get that baby moving again!
On Wednesday, Schein’s list of “NFL bandwagons to hop on in 2022” hit the web. Among those named—with fellow players, coaches and entire teams alike—was, of course, Horn.
“The Panthers’ top pick was rocking as a rookie until he broke his foot in Week 3, allowing just a 39.6 passer rating against (per PFF) and notching a pick against the division rival Saints,” he writes. “There’s a reason Carolina drafted him eighth overall, ahead of Patrick Surtain II, Micah Parsons, Justin Fields and Mac Jones. This cat is special.”
(Well, he better be. Each of those rookies showed their respective amounts of promise in 2021.)
Anyway, Schein continued:
“While the Panthers’ season came apart after a 3-0 start, the defense did show substantial improvement, finishing second in yards allowed. And Horn is the type of talent who will lift Phil Snow’s unit to even greater heights.”
Horn himself had a few words on Tuesday following the team’s second outing of OTAs. The talented 22-year-old, who is working his way back on the field after his season-ending injury, said he’s ready to become a leader despite feeling like a newbie.
“Kinda,” he said with a smile when asked if he still feels likes a rookie. “‘Cause I ain’t play more than three games last year. But also just knowing that I have to take that next step and bring the new rookies along and just try to help D.J. [Donte Jackson] lead the group.”
Hopefully for Horn and the Panthers, the wheels won’t come off at any time as he does so in 2022.
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