New England Patriots: Players to trade-up for in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Ian Higgins
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Jaycee Horn CB
Potential Trade:
Following a swath of trade rumors surrounding shutdown cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the New England Patriots seem intent on procuring a stable of youth with long-term potential rather than win-now superstars. Commanding a premium because of his relative value at the position, Stephon Gilmore could end up being the pivotal asset at the center of a trade to move New England into position for a top cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft
Left with a combination of J.C. Jackson, Johnathan Jones, and Jalen Mills, the Patriots would look to bring in another lengthy man-corner to retain the same effective combination of personnel that has made New England’s secondary so successful. Thankfully, the 2021 NFL Draft’s cornerback class has (on the majority) stuck to such a theme.
With a 4.39 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical, South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn asserted himself about injury-tagged corner Caleb Farley and made a case for the argument of rivaling current top cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Using his length to stay in contact with the receiver through the route, Horn is a physical corner eerily reminiscent of both Gilmore and Jackson in recent seasons. Placed within a highly productive Patriots secondary, Horn could top-off another fearsome Patriot secondary.