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2021 NFL Draft: Five first-round targets for the New England Patriots

By Ian Higgins

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) gestures during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) gestures during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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Jaycee Horn, 2021 NFL Draft, New England Patriots
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 10: 2021 NFL Draft prospect Jaycee Horn #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks jumps up for the ball over Chris Pierce #19 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

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Jaycee Horn CB

South Carolina Gamecocks Football
South Carolina Gamecocks Football /

Scouting Report

2020 Starters: Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson (RFA), Jonathan Jones

Following extensive rumors of a trade involving shutdown cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a trade in which the New England Patriots acquire additional first-round assets is not a distant pipe dream but a real possibility come the night of the 2021 NFL Draft. With the San Francisco 49ers likely in need of a top corner and holding the number twelve selection, could the New England Patriots kickstart their rebuild?

In order to retain one of the best secondaries in the NFL though, the New England Patriots will need to directly replace Gilmore with a 2021 NFL Draft prospect and supporting cast member to new lead cornerback J.C. Jackson (assuming a return in free agency). Conveniently enough, the 2021 NFL Draft holds a cornerback within their draft range sporting an eerily similar playstyle to the Patriots incumbent.

Also measuring in at six-foot-one, Jaycee Horn is a similarly lengthy corner who uses his long limbs to remain aggressive at the point of attack and get a hand in on the ball to break up the play. Paired with Jackson and speedster Jonathan Jones, the New England Patriots secondary would become one of turnovers and tide-changing plays to give their offense a kick in the butt.

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