(image credit: Steve Mitchell - USA Today Sports)
Written by: Joseph Yun
Twitter: 2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
With the 22nd selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Caleb Farley, cornerback from Virginia Tech
Farley is one of the elite cornerback prospects in the 2021 class but has some medical concerns as he recently had back surgery and there’s a knee injury in his past.
The former Hokie brings a host of traits like athleticism, physicality, and plus plus instincts in both man and zone coverage. When healthy, he can cover sideline to sideline in a hurry and sticks with the receiver all the way through the route. Great ball skills as he snagged six interceptions and 19 passes defensed in just 23 games. A corner who measures in at 6’1 207 so size is ideal.
He was the first nationally recognized player to opt out and he gave his reasons as to the “uncertain protocols” regarding the pandemic.
Virginia Tech has been a haven for producing NFL caliber defensive backs for years and now Farley joins the ranks as a Tennessee Titans first round selection.
Here are some PFF numbers to recognize how elite Farley is in coverage
If healthy, the Titans got a steal in Mr. Farley as their big three are now Janoris Jenkins, former LSU standout Kristian Fulton, and now Farley. If he was fully healthy, there is no doubt that he would’ve been selected higher than he was. Farley profiles similarly to Antonio Cromartie. As a high school recruit, he was ranked as a four star, 178th overall, sixth best in the state of North Carolina in the 2017 class.
Blitzalytics Grade: 8.03
Blitzalytics Big Board: 13
You can find Mr. Farley on Twitter: @IamCalebFarley