Panthers Find Perfect Jaycee Horn Replacement in New Draft Projection

Even though the Carolina Panthers are 4-11 for the season, things are looking up for the franchise. They already doubled their win total from a season ago, Dave Canales looks like he is here to stay, and Bryce Young has shown flashes of a starter-caliber quarterback.

The Panthers have been playing better in recent weeks, but the fanbase's priority is still the offseason. Rather than winning the remaining two games, Panthers fans would prefer to lose out and maximize their pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Right now, Carolina looks like they will have a top-ten pick in the draft.

With plenty of holes on both ends of the field, the Panthers can go a few different ways. In a recent article, Bleacher Report has them using a high draft pick on one of the best cornerbacks in the class. Michigan standout Will Johnson was identified as a potential draft target for the Panthers.

"With Mike Jackson's contract expiring at the end of the season and Jaycee Horn entering a contract year next fall, it wouldn't be surprising to see GM Dan Morgan add a cornerback early in the draft. There aren't many better in this year's class than Michigan's Will Johnson, as he ranks second at the position on B/R's big board."

- Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Dept.

Johnson is widely considered a top-15 draft pick despite missing all but six of Michigan's games this season with a toe injury. His ballhawking tendencies and ability to create turnovers while combining an elite 6-foot-2 height and athletic abilities make him an intriguing prospect for every NFL team.

The Panthers certainly need more upgrades on defense. They allowed the most points of any team in the NFL this season and rank dead last as a unit per Pro Football Focus. At the same time, cornerback is far from the biggest problem on the team. Pass rush and running defense have been larger concerns and the Panthers may be better off addressing those weaknesses first.

While finding a long-term replacement for Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson may be needed, using a first-round pick on it would be rather surprising. Whether GM Dan Morgan agrees remains to be seen.

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