Panthers advised against releasing Jimmy Horn Jr. amid wide receiver depth concerns
With the wide room already thinned by injury and the addition of John Metchie III, experts argue that parting ways with the sixth-round pick would be a strategic error.
The Carolina Panthers have been urged to retain second-year wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., with external analysts describing any potential release as a baffling decision given the team’s current roster composition. The advice follows the confirmation that Chris Brazzell II has suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the 2026 season, a development that has significantly thinned the wide receiver depth chart.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report has argued that cutting Horn would be a terrible decision, particularly as the team navigates a crowded back end of the roster. While the Panthers have added John Metchie III, Moton suggests that keeping Metchie III could inadvertently cost Horn a roster spot, a move he characterises as making no sense given Horn’s projected upside.
Horn, a former Colorado receiver selected in the sixth round of the 2025 draft, recorded 11 receptions for 108 yards and eight rushing attempts for 69 yards during his rookie campaign. Although his involvement was limited, the analysis indicates that his production in a small sample size warrants retention, especially considering his contract is set to be cost-effective for the next three seasons.
The current wide receiver hierarchy places Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker as the primary options, with Xavier Legette serving as an intriguing third option. Brycen Tremayne is also identified as a key contributor on special teams. However, with Brazzell II unavailable, the depth behind the top three receivers is considered shallow, raising questions about the necessity of reducing the roster further.
Analysts note that releasing Horn would imply either a complete lack of faith in his development or an assumption that the depth chart is already stacked, neither of which appears to be the case. With only a few roster spots available in the wide receiver group, retaining a fifth or even sixth receiver is viewed as a reasonable strategy to mitigate the risk posed by Brazzell II’s absence.
