Vikings Trade Pitch Lands $34 Million Top Starter
At 5-0, the Minnesota Vikings appear to be in a buying position as the NFL trade deadline approaches. They should think about making a trade that would strengthen their defense both now and in the future—specifically, acquiring cornerback Jaycee Horn from the Carolina Panthers.
Selected eighth overall in the 2021 draft, Horn is nearing the end of his $33.5 million rookie contract (which includes a fifth-year option) with a Panthers team that is struggling and on the verge of a rebuild.
Horn, the son of four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn from the New Orleans Saints, has the potential to be a top-10 player at his position due to his athleticism and fits the mold of what Brian Flores seeks in his cornerbacks.
in case you forgot, here's how Jaycee Horn looked in the final game last seasonpic.twitter.com/ImIMg9wDg5
— Blande (@JustBlande) September 6, 2024
Jaycee Horn’s Freak Athleticism is Ideal for Vikings’ Brian Flores
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 205 pounds, Horn recorded a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the 2021 combine, showcasing his impressive physicality.
His remarkable 95th-percentile arm length (33 inches), 98th-percentile vertical jump (42 inches), and 96th-percentile broad jump (11 feet, 1 inch) highlight his exceptional athletic ability, making him a standout cornerback prospect. In fact, he achieved the highest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) for any cornerback since 1987.
Jaycee Horn is a CB prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 10 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 1748 CB from 1987 to 2021.
Splits projected, times unofficial.
Adding bench keeps him there, but we need agis!https://t.co/TJ155mBS7N #RAS pic.twitter.com/ITXRdYMrsV
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 24, 2021
Horn has faced challenges with injuries throughout his career. He appeared in just three games during his rookie season due to a fractured right foot. In 2022, he started 13 games but struggled with rib injuries and underwent wrist surgery after breaking it in Week 17. He also dealt with a hamstring injury in the 2023 season opener, which sidelined him for 10 weeks before his return in Week 13.
While his injury history raises concerns, his athleticism and skill are undeniable.
Evaluating Horn’s trade value is tricky because of his injuries, but the Vikings could consider offering their two fifth-round picks in 2025 or a future third-round pick.
Offering more would be a risky investment, but the potential upside could justify the gamble. Horn possesses the attributes to become one of the league’s top man coverage cornerbacks, aligning with what Flores seeks in a cornerback group that may lose key players next offseason.
“If Horn can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a top-10 cornerback in the NFL,” wrote Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko in June. “His 80.3 coverage grade ranks 15th among cornerbacks over the past two years, and his 0.83 yards per coverage snap ties him for eighth.”
Vikings Need to Secure a Future at CB
Minnesota’s struggles at cornerback this decade are among the worst in the NFL.
The tragic death of Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon’s ACL tear in July continue a troubling trend for the Vikings at this position.
Since 2020, the team has drafted seven cornerbacks, but only Akayleb Evans (2022, fourth round) has made any impact on defense this season, with just three defensive snaps in Week 1.
Andrew Booth Jr., a second-round pick in 2022, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys after failing to make a defensive contribution.
The 2020 draft class, which included Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, and Harrison Hand, is no longer with the team. Gladney was released amid assault allegations and signed with the Arizona Cardinals after being found not guilty in 2022, but he tragically died in a car accident that summer. Hand didn’t make the final roster in 2022 and is now with the Atlanta Falcons, while Dantzler was released in 2023 and currently plays in the CFL.
This season, the Vikings are depending on Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, and Stephon Gilmore, but all three veterans will see their contracts expire after the 2024 season.
Currently, Blackmon is the only cornerback expected to be in the mix for the 2025 starting lineup. Undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern shows potential, but the Vikings will likely need to acquire at least one starting cornerback through trade or free agency for the 2025 season.
Leave a Reply