Premium players demand premium contracts, and the Carolina Panthers made the right move by locking up star cornerback Jaycee Horn with a massive contract extension.
Horn, a first-round pick in 2021, had 13 pass breakups and one interception last season on his way to his first Pro Bowl selection. He allowed just 37 receptions to opposing receivers, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound cornerback has five career interceptions and 153 total tackles in 37 games, plus two sacks and 26 pass breakups.
Cam Newton Compliments Jaycee Horn: ‘Best Player in Carolina’
Panthers legend Cam Newton went out of his way to praise Horn on his 4th-and-1 YouTube show. The former quarterback applauded Carolina for spending big to keep Horn happy.
Locking up franchise cornerstones is a must, and according to Newton, the 25-year-old cornerback is the best player on the Panthers’ roster.
“I think what Jaycee Horn is, his upside is through the roof,” Newton said. “He’s not only tall, rangy, but he also can cover anybody on the field, wherever on the field, and that’s rare. I will say this again, you got to spend the money … you got to take care of your premium players. Jaycee Horn is the best player in Carolina.”
.@CameronNewton shares his thoughts on the @Panthers locking up Jaycee Horn pic.twitter.com/h1eGP0i80F
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) March 17, 2025
It turns out keeping elite players isn’t cheap. Carolina inked Horn to a four-year, $100 million extension ($70 million guaranteed) on March 10. At the time, the Pro Bowler was the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.
“A lot more work to be put in,” Horn said after signing his contract, via the Panthers’ official website. “I could be a way better player. I got a lot of room left to go, so just trying to do that every day and then hopefully next year coming back and, you know, making it [to the Pro Bowl] again.”
Horn didn’t hold that title for long. Derek Stingley Jr. is now the highest-paid defensive back after signing a three-year, $90 million deal with the Houston Texans. (Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported it’s actually a five-year, $113 million deal when factoring in “old money” versus new money).
Panthers Predicted to Select Georgia Edge Rusher
The Panthers hold the eighth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. With several roster needs, Carolina could go in multiple directions. They could add a playmaking receiver for young quarterback Bryce Young or bolster their struggling defensive line by selecting a “physical specimen” at edge rusher.
Mykel Williams favorite player to watch growing up was Cam Newton. Mykel Williams is a DL, ergo had to ask him… pic.twitter.com/aZeuA2yVJm
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) March 12, 2025
The Panthers’ defense was historically bad in 2024, finishing with only 32 team sacks-the third-worst in the league.
With that in mind, PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla predicts Carolina will draft Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.
“Despite the below-average statistics for the Georgia Bulldogs star, Mykel Williams is a physical specimen, which is what the Carolina Panthers are betting on with this pick,” Pasciolla wrote. “The Panthers’ defense was historically bad in 2024, so adding a dominant talent at one of the most important positions just adds up.
“As appealing as it would be for the Panthers to add a reliable weapon for QB Bryce Young, that can be found much easier in later rounds than a physical specimen like Williams.”
If the Panthers stick with defense in Round 1 like Pasciolla predicts, expect them to target wide receivers in later rounds to help Bryce Young and bolster their offensive attack.