Panthers CB Jaycee Horn named breakout candidate for 2023 season

Former Super Bowl-winning defensive back Jason McCourty believes Jaycee Horn, with a bit of help from Bryce Young, can break out in 2023.

Not enough folks realize how good Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn really is. So, will his new quarterback help shine the spotlight on him?

Former safety and current member of the Good Morning Football crew Jason McCourty seems to think so. On Tuesday, the Super Bowl LIII champion stated Horn should be on the path to a breakout campaign in 2023, one that may be enhanced by the attention the Panthers will be getting under center.

“I think this is a guy who has an opportunity to showcase his talents,” McCourty said. “He’s extremely good, but he hasn’t been on the field a lot. Only 16 games in the last two seasons. He’ll get an opportunity with a lot more eyeballs in Carolina this year because of the edition of Bryce Young to that city and to that franchise.

“6-1, 200 pounds. This guy’s an absolute baller. He just needs to remain out there on the field and showcase what he can do. So I’m looking forward to watching Jaycee Horn in some primetime games this year matched up against some of your favorite No. 1 wide receivers in the league.”

Although he’s been limited by a handful of injuries over his two-year career, Horn has already done work against some of those No. 1’s. Here’s how a handful of big-name wideouts fared against Horn in 2022:

Targets Receptions Yards
Amari Cooper 3 2 8
Chris Olave 2 0 0
Marquise Brown 1 0 0
Deebo Samuel 2 0 0
DK Metcalf 6 3 49
Tyler Lockett 2 1 17

As long as he stays healthy, Horn will have a chance to add more marquee names to the list—including Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Miami’s Tyreek Hill and/or Jaylen Waddle, Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and some fella from Chicago named DJ Moore.

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