Crowded Room: Vikings Add CB in Mock Draft
Dustin Baker
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Wipe that smile off your face, 247 Sports isn’t kidding for the Minnesota Vikings.
The sports journalism outfit sends University of South Carolina cornerback, Jaycee Horn, to the Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft. Notably in this mock, Minnesota passes on names frequently hypothesized for the team: Gregory Rousseau (EDGE), Christian Darrisaw (OL), and Alijah-Vera Tucker (OL). And all three of those men are more suitable for the Vikings per team roster need.
But, nope says 247‘s Zack Pearson. On Horn to the Vikings, he writes:
“The Minnesota Vikings could go a few different routes with this pick as they have needs all over their roster. But none might be bigger than their secondary, which struggled in 2020 and needs to rebuild. Instead of drafting Jaylen Waddle to pair with Justin Jefferson, they opt to fill a need at defensive back with Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina.”
Horn at this spot for general manager Rick Spielman does a couple of things.
Foremost, it satisfies the stereotypical Mike Zimmer running joke. The Vikings head coach was a defensive backs coach in a past Texas life. In fact, Zimmer was the Dallas Cowboys defensive backs skipper on the Thanksgiving occasion that Randy Moss exploded in central Texas back in 1998. Since Zimmer arrived in Minnesota, the Vikings have selected four cornerbacks in the 2nd-Round-or-higher: Trae Waynes (2015), Mackensie Alexander (2016), Mike Hughes (2018), and Jeff Gladney (2020). Too, 2020 rookie Harrison Hand performed well in spots, and he’s a cornerback.
Zimmer takes a lot of playful heat for his tendency. But in reality, the rival Green Bay Packers have taken four cornerbacks, too, in the 2nd-Round-or-higher during the same timeframe. The standard-bearer of these last seven seasons — the New England Patriots — has taken three corners since 2014.
Perhaps it’s a smart thing to do.
In 2021, however, the Vikings suddenly have oodles of starting-caliber cornerbacks. Some of the fanbase even wonders how the hell all of the faces will see playing time. Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Mackensie Alexander, and Mike Hughes will all tussle for action this September, so Spielman dropping another credible personality into the CB room might be overkill.
Nevertheless, here is the scouting report from Joe Marino per The Draft Network on Horn:
“South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Jaycee Horn enters the NFL after three seasons in the SEC where he demonstrated consistent growth. After primarily playing in the slot in 2018, Horn played out wide in 2019 and 2020 where he projects best in the NFL. Horn has a long and stocky frame that is built for competing with X-receivers in the NFL. His size, length, and physicality show up in coverage where he is highly disruptive in press and ultra competitive at the catch point. The concerns with Horn show up primarily as a tackler and playing off-man coverage. Unfortunately, Horn doesn’t play to his weight class as a tackler and there are too many missed tackles on film. Additionally, Horn can be guilty of guessing when mirroring routes, leading to false steps, which is problematic given how segmented his transitions can be in the first place. If used correctly and with development, Horn can be a quality starter, especially if his ball skills continue to progress as they did in 2020.”
And Ian Cummings from Pro Football Network notes on the South Carolina corner:
“Athletic corner with outstanding size and a developing game. Quick flipping his hips in transition, feisty, and mixes it up with receivers throughout the route. Works to get his head back around, tracks the pass in the air, and has a nice move to the throw. Plays tough, physical football and beats down opponents to knock away passes. Effective facing the action, stays on the receiver’s hip out of breaks, and has an explosive closing burst. Does not back down to a challenge and battles bigger receivers throughout the route. Displays outstanding awareness in man coverage. Effectively covers receivers on crossing patterns. Plays to his size and gives effort defending the run.”
Adding Horn is sensical if Spielman verifiably knows that Patrick Peterson, Mackensie Alexander, and Mike Hughes are truly short-timing for the team. Those men are not contractually scheduled to be a part of the 2022 Vikings at the moment.
Jaycee Horn is the son of Joe Horn, the longtime New Orleans Saints wide receiver.
Yes, the flip-phone guy.