Tag: Jaycee Horn

Colts take CB Jaycee Horn in analytics-based mock draft

Colts go CB in an analytics mock.

While most mock drafts are based off of what analysts hear around the league or believe in their hearts would be the right move for each team, there aren’t a whole lot of analytics-based mocks hitting the streets.

However, Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com released her analytics-based mock draft and it had the Colts taking former South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the No. 21 overall pick.

PFF shows that Horn allowed just eight catches on 24 targets for 116 yards in seven games in 2020.

The son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee is entering the league as a potential first-round pick. He has the required size and length to work on the boundary while holding the mentality necessary for the Colts defense.

Getting the stamp of approval in Zach Hicks’ Build-A-Ballard series at Stampede Blue, here’s what Hicks had to say about the former Gamecock:

A bit more on the higher end of the class, every time I watch Jaycee Horn, I think of a Chris Ballard cornerback. He may not have been a Senior Bowl guy but he hits every other metric. He possesses solid size and strength as he is a very willing participant in the run game. He is sticky in man coverage and has excellent instincts when the ball is in the air. He may be a bit grabby (I know you all hate that) but there are traits there that can make a top-tier corner in this league. Plus, he has that dog mentality where he is always competing and in the face of receivers. He is my CB1 in this class and fits what the Colts want to do perfectly.

Taking a cornerback at No. 21 may not be in the cards for Ballard, but stranger things have happened. They do have the need at the position. It all comes down to where he winds up on their board.

The mock drafts are typically sending a tackle or an edge rusher to the Colts, but the analytics say Indy should look at the secondary.

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Cardinals go defense early, offense late in new mock draft simulation

Check out the results of this seven-round simulation where they land offensive and defensive help.

We begin our weekly mock draft simulations as we approach the 2021 NFL draft. The purpose of them is to play out different scenarios at the top of the draft, whether it is taking a particular position or making a trade to see how it might make the rest of the draft play out for the Cardinals.

In this first mock draft simulation I ran from The Draft Network, the scenario was the Cardinals taking a cornerback, which is a popular pick in many mocks.

Check the five selections for the Cardinals below.


Cardinals land cornerback in 1st round in new Touchdown Wire mock draft

Jaycee Horn would improve the defense now and in the long-term.

What will the Arizona Cardinals do with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft in April? We know they can go a number of directions, especially with a number of needs even before free agency.

Based on the prospects and how they are viewed, they could get an offensive lineman, a cornerback, a pass rusher, a receiver or even a running back.

In Doug Farrar’s first mock draft of the season for Touchdown Wire, he has them going a trendy direction — a cornerback.

He has them selecting South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.

In Kliff Kingsbury’s two seasons as the Cardinals’ head coach, Arizona’s defense has allowed 64 passing touchdowns, and picked off just 17 passes. Patrick Peterson, the longtime legend of Arizona’s secondary, is set to become a free agent, and allowed five touchdowns to three picks in 2020. 2019 second-round cornerback Byron Murphy has allowed 12 touchdowns to just one interception in his brief career. Veteran Dre Kirkpatrick was the only cornerback on the roster who put up a credible performance, and until that changes, it doesn’t matter how dynamic Kingsbury’s offense is — he’s going to be scheming from behind more often than not.

So, maybe they need this guy.

Not only did Horn do that, he’d be a perfect complement to a defense that played the second-most pass defense snaps in man coverage last season (250, behind only New Orleans’ 277). At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Horn has the size, aggressive mentality, and man/match traits to excel in such a defense.

It is the position that makes the most sense, honestly. The question is whether he is a fit. Farrar paints a perfect picture of fit. The Cardinals need a cornerback and get one.

They could also go with a tackle, a receiver or a pass rusher, but an edge rusher might be a low need if they extend Chander Jones and re-sign either Haason Reddick or Markus Golden.

The Cardinals were old at cornerback last season with Peterson, Kirkpatrick and Johnathan Joseph playing alongside Byron Murphy, who enters his third NFL season. Horn would help the defense immediately and for the long-term.

If he is available, it is a great pick.

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Mel Kiper’s new mock draft with trades has Cardinals taking a cornerback

There trades and quarterbacks come off the board quickly, while Arizona still only lands the No. 3 cornerback overall.

There is a new mock draft out from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and it has a twist. For the first time, he included projected trades in his mock draft. Quarterbacks come off the board in a hurry.

That doesn’t really change things for the Arizona Cardinals.

With the 16th pick in the first round, they fill a major need and take South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.

With longtime star Patrick Peterson likely gone in free agency, corner is a clear void for the Cardinals, who struggled down the stretch last season after starting 5-2. Their defense should get a boost with the return of pass-rusher Chandler Jones from injury, but they need more talent in the secondary. Horn is not a ball hawk, but the instincts are there. He is around the ball more than the stat sheet shows (he had only two interceptions over three seasons at South Carolina). Offensive line and wide receiver are two other positions Arizona could look toward.

Horn is the third cornerback off the board and does fit what the Cardinals need.

If the go with an offensive lineman or a receiver, this mock draft had Florida’s Kadarius Toney available, who is selected with the 20th pick, and lineman Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech. No one would fault them for taking either player.

Pass rushers often connected to the Cardinals in other mock drafts, like Miami’s Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips and also Michigan’s Kwity Paye, are all available as well.

The Cardinals have no depth at corner at the moment. Assuming Horn is what he is believed to be able to become, it would take care of an immediate need that will continue to be a need down the line.

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Cardinals land CB in 1st round of new mock draft

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Cardinals going with CB Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina.

It is full-on mock draft season so we will see projections from all over the Internet. The way things now look, cornerback is a popular selection for the Arizona Cardinals with the 16th overall pick in the draft.

In a new mock draft from CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, the Cardinals land South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn.

Patrick Peterson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Johnathan Joseph will be free agents this spring, and Horn is a physical, athletic playmaking cornerback who would add depth at the position.

It is a major position of need. There is no doubting that. And based on the players still available at No. 16 in this mock draft, the selection makes sense.

A cornerback has a good chance of playing this season. A pass rusher would be able to contribute. An offensive lineman might sit for a year, depending on how things play out in training camp.

Horn feels like a good match, at least early in the draft process.

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Ravens take top CB in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft

The Baltimore Ravens stack talent at cornerback and find great value in Todd McShay’s latest 2021 NFL mock draft

The offseason has kicked off, which means analysts are beginning to really hone in on which players every team might potentially take in the 2021 NFL draft. The Baltimore Ravens have a few pretty large needs but have often gone after the best value instead of chasing those needs, often choosing to address their biggest ones in free agency when possible.

That makes predicting what Baltimore will do on draft day near impossible. But that won’t stop ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay from giving it a shot and throwing out a few different options.

In his first mock draft following Super Bowl LV, McShay has the Ravens grabbing South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn at No. 27. While McShay selected Horn on Baltimore’s behalf, he hedges his bet quite a bit by noting wide receiver could be a viable option as well with Rashod Bateman and Elijah Moore still on the board. But with the Ravens’ philosophy in mind, McShay pegs Horn as a great value over other positions maybe being a bigger need.

It’s easy to see why too. As McShay notes, Horn certainly has an NFL pedigree, being the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. McShay says Horn is “long an instinctive” and has him ranked as the third-best cornerback in the 2021 NFL draft. But the part that might really catch Baltimore’s eye is that Horn “tends to play his best in big games.”

With no real NFL Scouting Combine this year, scouts and general managers will have to once again rely far more on game tape and interviews to gauge a player’s ability. As Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and Director of Player Personnel Joe Hortiz noted last year, they’ve specifically looked for players who elevated their play in big games. If Baltimore keeps a similar mindset this offseason, Horn could very well be on their radar at No. 27.

While cornerback is pretty clearly the Ravens’ most stacked position, this is a team that has never shied away from adding to it. As former general manager Ozzie Newsome used to say, “you can never have too many cornerbacks,” a philosophy that proved itself wise last season as Baltimore was ravaged by injuries at the position.

With Jimmy Smith on a one-year deal, Tavon Young’s injury history, and Marcus Peters being a potential cap casualty as early as this offseason; the Ravens would be wise to restock the depth chart with high-end talent. At the worst, Baltimore would be able to slowly develop Horn for a year or two before asking him to start. The best-case scenario is Horn hits the field often as a rookie and plays at a Pro Bowl level.

As mock drafts continue to pour in over the next few months, don’t be terribly shocked if some unexpected positions get some attention.

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Morning mock draft: Bills double up on defense in two round slate

Buffalo Bills two-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft has the team selecting CB Jaycee Horn and DE Joe Tryon.

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In 2020, the tables were turned for the Bills as the offense carried the defense after years of the opposite being true. Perhaps because of that, a recent two-round mock of the 2021 NFL Draft has Buffalo doubling up on defense with their first two selections.

Our friends at Draft Wire peg a cornerback for the Bills in the first round and then a pass rusher in Round 2. The two selections are:

30. Buffalo Bills: Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina
61. Buffalo Bills Joe Tryon | EDGE | Washington

In Horn, the Bills would be aiming to address the No. 2 cornerback spot across from Tre’Davious White. Levi Wallace is restricted free agent while Josh Norman is a UFA. There’s a chance both could be gone in 2021.

If the Bills did go with Horn he has size and experience playing in a zone scheme like Buffalo runs. Because of that, he will likely be on McDermott’s radar to some extent.

At the defensive end spot, Tryon could be an interesting selection, but that certainly depends on what happens well before the draft. The Bills could address pass rusher in free agency via someone like JJ Watt, who Buffalo has reportedly already shown interest in, or they could go the draft route.

Either way, the Bills’ edge spots could use another addition to it. Tryon is a player that The Draft Network describes as a versatile guy that can play in a 3-4 defense or 4-3 one like the Bills run.

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Saints go heavy on defense in post-Super Bowl mock draft roundup

The New Orleans Saints were linked to several interesting prospects in post-Super Bowl mock drafts, like CB Jaycee Horn and QB Mac Jones.

With Super Bowl LV wrapped up and the order of selections in the 2021 NFL draft established, it’s time for another quick survey of which prospects are being linked to the New Orleans Saints from around the league’s orbit.

And for the most part, mock drafts are adding more reinforcements on defense than on offense for the Saints. With pending free agents like Trey Hendrickson, Marcus Williams, Sheldon Rankins, and Alex Anzalone potentially hitting the market, that makes sense. But the uncertainty at quarterback is also a factor.

Here are the prospects picked by the Saints in the latest round of mock drafts:

Jags snag CB Jaycee Horn in addition to Trevor Lawrence in new mock draft

With a need for help in their secondary, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein slotted the Jags one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC in round one.

With a direct path to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, it’s pretty much set in stone what the Jacksonville Jaguars will be doing to acquire a QB1. However, the big question past the first overall pick is which of the Jags’ many needs should they address with pick No. 25.

In his first mock draft for 2021, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein predicts the Jags will address the cornerback position with a player who played in South Carolina just as Lawrence did. That player was South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB , Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

This pick should be set in stone as the Jaguars hit reset with a brand new face of the franchise.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

The son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee has prototypical size (6-1, 200) and length. He’s best in press coverage, but has the eye discipline and athleticism to play in any scheme.

Cornerback is a need for the Jags, and we listed it as the third-most pressing need on the roster last month aside from quarterback and left tackle. Players like William Jackson III, Xavier Rhodes, and Troy Hill could be available if free agency if the Jags want to address the issue there, but if they can’t, drafting a cornerback in round one of the draft would make a lot of sense.

As for Horn, he’d bring a long and physical presence to the perimeter of the Jags’ defense to pair with last year’s first-round pick, CJ Henderson. Whether it’s as a zone defender or man defender, scouts love Horn’s ability in coverage and he’s a fit for a variety of teams as a result. As a player from the Southeastern Conference, Horn has also battled some of the best receivers in football, so there seems to be a lot of confidence in his ability to translate to the NFL. 

Horn is a player who has come off the draft board around the 20th pick in other mocks, so he would mark good value at No. 25 it seems, and acquiring him with Lawrence would be a home run pairing in round one. Still, we would like to hear from our readers at home. Is Zierlein’s mock the perfect scenario, or is there another player who the Jags should add with Lawrence?

Cardinals land CB prospect in new TD Wire mock draft

They take South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn in the latest projections from Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.

We have taken one step closer to the NFL draft with the completion of the Senior Bowl over the weekend. With the performance of players in the game and the week of practice in Mobile, Alabama, and also after the agreed trade between the L.A. Rams and Detroit Lions, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield has a new mock draft.

In these new projections, the Arizona Cardinals land a promising prospect at a position of extreme need this offseason.

Schofield has the Cardinals taking South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the 16th pick overall.

The Arizona Cardinals could go in a number of different directions with this selection. Some have linked the Cardinals with a presence off the edge, and that is exactly where I went in Mock Draft 1.0, having Arizona draft Michigan EDGE Kwity Paye. Many others have linked the Cardinals with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, but he just came off the board to the New England Patriots in the prior selection.

So as teams must, the Cardinals shift gears here and look at the secondary. With Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker Arizona has some pieces in place, but adding another coverage corner will give defensive coordinator Vance Joseph some flexibility in the secondary and the ability to perhaps play the matchup game a bit more. Jaycee Horn is a strong and long corner with some press coverage traits who began his college career playing inside before shifting to the boundary. Before his decision to opt out after playing in six games this season, Horn flashed ball skills that you want to see in a cornerback. Adding him to the mix allows Joseph to play him inside or outside depending on opponent.

With Patrick Peterson’s future with the team uncertain, the Cardinals need to get better and younger at the position. Horn would be a great addition to the defense. He also offers flexibility, able to cover inside or out.

The Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith is on the board still and doesn’t go in this mock draft until the 20th pick. If he is on the board, the Cardinals surely will have to consider him. He would pair nicely with DeAndre Hopkins.

Of course, by the time the draft rolls around, the Cardinals will have addressed some needs in free agency, allowing them to be able to pick the most talented player they like.

If that ends up being Horn, there isn’t anything wrong with that.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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