Carolina Panthers star Jaycee Horn was ranked a top-10 CB in the NFL.
The folks over at FOX Sports have ranked Carolina Panthers star Jaycee Horn as a top-10 CB in the NFL.
FOX Sports has Horn at No. 8.
"Horn, 26, had as many interceptions last year (five) as in his first four years in Carolina combined, with two games with two picks," FOX Sports wrote. "The Panthers gave the former first-round pick a four-year, $100 million contract last year, and he’s made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons.
"Carolina’s defense was middling last year — 16th in points and yards allowed — and that will need to improve if they want a winning record in 2026 or a repeat as NFC South champs. Horn staying healthy is ultimately the key — he played in just 22 of 51 games his first three years in Carolina, but has missed just three games in the last two seasons."
Horn made his second consecutive Pro Bowl last season. He finished with five interceptions and eight passes defended for the Panthers, who won the NFC South and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Horn has 10 interceptions in 53 games for the Panthers. He's undoubtedly one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL and Carolina is fortunate to have him.
The Panthers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs. With Horn leading the defense, Carolina was 15th in the NFL last season in points per game allowed.
"For me, I'm mainly just thinking team. Like we had a successful year this year in going to the playoffs, and I feel like we kind of figured out how to win and figured out what winning feels like," Horn said.
"When you sit back and just look at where we were, like a guy like me, my rookie year, and the years after that, to see how far we came, that this past season was definitely a win to get to the playoffs, but we can make that next level jump, and I think we will.
"And I'm so excited for next year to get back and go and be going to these games with everybody actually believing, actually believing we can get it done and seeing how next season goes."
The Panthers open the 2026 season against the Chicago Bears.
To win that game, Horn will have to make life difficult for Bears QB Caleb Williams.
"I've been healthy the last two years, been to two Pro Bowls, and now I'm just trying to keep that going and maybe just keep racking them up year after year after year. Maybe I can catch up, and I won't even think about the three I missed before," Horn said. "But yeah, I know it's just still a blessing to be in this league and make money playing a kids' game. So I'm so focused on just trying to keep my game at a high level and just seeing where it falls at the end of the day."
The Panthers gave Horn a four-year, $100 million contract last year. He's made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons.
