Panthers pass on Justin Fields, pick South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn at No. 8

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Sam Darnold can breathe a sigh of relief. Even though Ohio State QB Justin Fields was on the board, the Panthers decided to pass and pick a cornerback, instead. Carolina used the No. 8 overall pick on South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn, widely regarded as one of the top two corners in this class along with Alabama’s Patrick Surtain.

There are sure to be a ton of questions about passing on a potential franchise QB, but Horn (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) fits the mold of the long, lanky corner that the Panthers will be looking for under new general manager Scott Fitterer.

During his time in college, Horn posted two interceptions and 23 pass breakups to go with 69 tackles, including seven for a loss. He excelled in man coverage as well as zone, making him a versatile addition to the back end of Carolina’s defense.

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