Cowboys 2021 draft prospects: South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn scouting report

The Cowboys are in need of cornerbacks and with the 10th pick in the upcoming NFL draft, they should be able to find one in the first round. One possibility is Jaycee Horn of South Carolina.

Name: Jaycee Horn

School: South Carolina

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Class: Junior

Position: CB

Jersey: #1

Strengths:

If you come at Jaycee Horn, you better come correct. Horn is the most physical cornerback in this class, both in coverage and when playing the run. Allows little to no space off the line of scrimmage, at the top of routes, and at the catch point. One of the more physical corners in press-coverage in this class, and welcomes contact in all levels of the field. Packs a punch with his jam which has receivers second-guessing attacking him vertically down the middle. Adequate arm length for the position pairs nicely with his physical playing style. Alpha-male attitude, and he let’s opposing receivers know about it for 60 minutes. Possesses great ball skills, and plays the ball in the air like a wide reciever. Showed great confidence and poise with his back to the football.

Weaknesses:

He’s going to have to tone down his physicality when in coverage. If playing style doesn’t change, he’ll be flagged a ton early in his career. While he’s fluid in coverage, seems to lack twitch in his transitions, and long-speed could be an issue. Had reps where he got caught with his eyes in the backfield, allowing receivers to separate behind him. Had reps where he struggled in zones, and has some issues when in open-space and in coverage. Drops the head and eyes at contact when attacking the run, which could result in some poor tackling until he fixes those technical deficiencies.

Overall Summary:

Son of former Chiefs and Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee Horn was born to hate the position his dad had a successful career at. Horn brings an alpha-male mentality, press-man and off-man coverage skills, and quality length, size, and physicality to the position to have a long, successful career in the NFL. Horn will need to trust his technique at the next level, and work on not being so grabby at the top of routes, or he’ll be flagged a ton in the early stages of his career. Horn showed great strides in his ball-skills, instincts, and run defense in 2020, and offers a high-floor, high-ceiling skill-set to a team in the top 20, and could be an excellent option for Dan Quinn’s system with the 10th overall pick, or an ideal trade-back candidate if the Cowboys look to make a small-move down in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Round Grade:

1

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