The Washington Commanders had high hopes for their secondary when they selected Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, nearly two years later, Forbes has struggled significantly and is considered one of the league’s weakest cornerbacks by various metrics. His trade value is so low that teams might not even offer a sixth or seventh-round pick for him.
Despite the Commanders’ impressive 5-2 record and top position in the NFC East heading into Week 8, cornerback remains a major concern. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder identified it as the Commanders’ biggest vulnerability halfway through the season.
Holder notes that the Commanders will need even more cornerback depth as players like Benjamin St-Juste, Noah Igbinoghene, and Michael Davis approach free agency in the offseason. One potential solution could be trading for Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, the No. 8 pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, who has seen limited success on one of the league’s worst teams.
Ahead of the November 5 trade deadline, SB Nation’s Mark Scholfield and James Dator highlighted Horn as a player to watch, suggesting that the Panthers should consider trade offers for him. Known for his exceptional man-coverage skills and ability to limit explosive plays, Horn could address Washington’s defensive issues effectively.
What Trade Offer for Horn Might Look Like
A past NFL trade that could serve as a reference point for a potential Jaycee Horn trade is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ deal that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. In that trade, the Jaguars received two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick for Ramsey, who was then regarded as one of the league’s best young cornerbacks and was midway through his fourth season—similar to Horn’s current career stage.
However, Horn isn’t at Ramsey’s level, partly due to his injury history. Over his first three seasons, he missed 31 games, playing in only 29. Despite this, when healthy in 2022, Horn showed promise with 3 interceptions and 7 pass deflections in the games he did play.
Given Horn’s injury concerns, a fair offer might be a second or third-round pick, straight up. Anything beyond that could be a stretch for the Commanders.
Horn’s Father Was Standout NFL WR in Early 2000s
Longtime NFL fans might remember Jaycee Horn’s father, Joe Horn, a standout wide receiver who played 12 seasons in the NFL and made four Pro Bowls in the early 2000s. Known for his years with the New Orleans Saints, Joe Horn recorded four seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top receivers.
Joe Horn is perhaps best remembered for his iconic touchdown celebration: after scoring against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, he pulled a hidden flip phone from under the goalpost padding and pretended to make a call—a moment that has become one of the most memorable celebrations in NFL history.
