The Panthers have signed their top selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn, whom the club drafted eighth overall, has agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal, the team announced Tuesday. Horn was the first defensive player to come off the board in April.
The signing comes just in time for the start of mandatory minicamp, which will begin for the majority of the league on Tuesday.
Horn is eighth of the Panthers' 11 draft picks to sign on the dotted line.
The son of Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn, the 21-year-old Jaycee possess the skills, IQ and natural athleticism that should help him make an immediate in a secondary that includes Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye.
According to PFF, the South Carolina product allowed just eight completions in coverage during his junior season in 2020, the fewest in the SEC among players with at least 20 targets.
Here is other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Monday:
- The Seattle Seahawks excused safety Jamal Adams from this week's mandatory minicamp, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source. Pelissero added that Adams is not in attendance due to personal reasons.
In other Seahawks news, offensive tackle Duane Brown was present for the start of minicamp, but his is a contract situation to monitor. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Brown would like a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract and is set to make $10 million this season.
Coach Pete Carroll said running back Rashaad Penny is sidelined after recently undergoing a "cleanup" in the same knee that he tore his ACL. Carroll added that minicamp absences for running back Chris Carson and pass rusher Aldon Smith are also excused.
- Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard officially became a holdout after not reporting for minicamp.
- The Vikings signed veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, who previously played for the team in 2018. Punter Zach Von Rosenberg was waived in a corresponding move. Minnesota also signed rookie quarterback Kellen Mond, whom it drafted in the third round and No. 66 overall out of Texas A&M.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had to exit Day 1 of minicamp early and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger required attention from a trainer, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported. Coach Mike Tomlin did not disclose further details afterward but said if there was anything of consequence he would address it.
- Seattle Seahawks
- Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe dealt with a bout of pneumonia recently and won't be practicing this week, according to coach John Harbaugh. Wolfe, who also skipped voluntary workouts, signed a three-year, $12 million extension in March.
- Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced the team has concluded its offseason program, citing the excellent progress players have made over the past few weeks. Taylor also told reporters that second-year offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji underwent pec surgery last week and will be out for awhile.
- The Atlanta Falcons signed all of five of their draft picks: offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (No. 68), defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham (No. 148), EDGE Adetokunbo Ogundeji (No. 182), cornerback Avery Williams (No. 183) and receiver Frank Darby (No. 187).
- The Denver Broncos signed seventh-round draft pick linebacker Jonathon Cooper.
- New York Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that left tackle Mekhi Becton (foot) won't participate in minicamp this week, per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. "We're very confident he'll be ready to go (by training camp)," Saleh explained. "He's just got a little nagging foot injury. It's not worth it to put him out there and make something so small a lot worse."
