Dallas Cowboys: CB Jaycee Horn enters the mix for 10th overall pick
For a few months now, we've been hearing the same names for potential candidates for the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft. For the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback and offensive tackle make the most sense given the players that will be available and the team needs. Sure, Linebacker Micah Parsons might get on the mix. […]
For a few months now, we've been hearing the same names for potential candidates for the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft. For the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback and offensive tackle make the most sense given the players that will be available and the team needs. Sure, Linebacker Micah Parsons might get on the mix. Tight End Kyle Pitts and any of the top wide receivers could do so as well.
But if we're discussing most likely, it's fair to stick to cornerback and offensive tackle. Having said that, many would agree cornerback is the top need for the Cowboys. As uncertain as Tyron Smith's long-term future is, at least he's set to start in 2021. Meanwhile, the Cowboys' cornerback room needs a ton of help behind Trevon Diggs.
Yet, for a while, we seemed to be discussing Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley and Alabama's Patrick Surtain II exclusively. They remain the consensus' Top 2 cornerbacks, in the 2021 NFL Draft, but a third cornerback has managed to get his name in the mix.
South Carolina's Jaycee Horn. Far from a perfect cornerback, Horn has become many fans' and analysts' favorite "pet cat." With his athleticism and play-making ability, he's the most exciting CB to watch in this class.
Granted, Horn isn't the perfect prospect. The biggest concern for many is the fact that he's quite grabby at times. In just seven games in the 2020 season, he racked up five penalty flags. However, Horn's aggressiveness also works in his favor as he's able to stick with opponents and disrupting routes.
But as aggressive as he is, he's gotten better and better at recognizing receivers' routes, according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
"With his length and athleticism, Horn matches up well vs. size and shows more ownership for the catch point than most receivers, displaying improved route recognition the last three seasons."
But Jaycee Horn also plays well in zone coverage, which should intrigue the Dallas Cowboys. Overall, Horn's skill set should fit with what Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn will bring to the table.
Jaycee Horn has earned the nod as CB2 for many draft analysts including Bryan Broaddus. Concerns about Patrick Surtain's speed could also be an important factor in the discussion, of course. Yet, Horn remains low in some draft boards. Matt Miller's board ranks him as CB3 and 26th overall. In Dane Brugler's latest board, Horn sits as the 20th-best prospect in the Draft.
Jaycee Horn gives the Dallas Cowboys even more options at #10, including the possibility of trading down if they feel like they can get him with a lower pick and don't love him at 10. When the time comes, it'll be interesting to see how the rest of the NFL feels about Horn. The question that remains to be seen is if his exciting tape will translate to Sundays.
Featured Image Via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
