2021 NFL Draft: Caleb Farley is CB1 and will go early
Caleb Farley is the best defensive back in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
About a month ago, I put together an early look at the top prospects at each position in the 2021 NFL Draft class. In that post, I highlighted specific players who I saw as the leaders of their position groups and the guys who were most likely to go the highest at their position when the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around. Today, I want to admit that my cornerback selection was wrong.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade was chosen as my top cornerback in the class. Wade is an exciting prospect who is going to be a strong player at the next level, but after watching more tape, he is not the best cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft class. That honor belongs to Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley.
Farley has already opted out of the 2020 season and entered the 2021 NFL Draft and stands out as a premier defensive prospect in this class. Listed at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Farley is a big, long and athletic cornerback prospect who shines in man coverage on the outside. He is a smooth mover who always seems to be under control in coverage and does a great job of closing on the ball quickly.
Farley simply has unique quickness and movement skills for a cornerback of his size. Most big and long cornerbacks and a bit slower on the outside. This guy changes directions extremely quickly and shows impressive natural athleticism at all times.
He is also an impressive man coverage cornerback who understands route concepts well. Farley does a great job of mirroring opposing receivers in coverage and competes for the ball in the air at an extremely high level. Farley shows high-level ball skills that will certainly make him a defensive weapon at the next level.
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When it comes down to it, Caleb Farley is a big, long, explosive and athletic cornerback prospect who has a great knack for playing the position. He undoubtedly has the ability to grow into a shutdown corner at the next level and is legitimately a potential top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft next April.