2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson lead trade-filled mock draft
87. Pick Analysis. Virginia Tech. Caleb Farley. 4. Scouting Report. CB. player
With two quarterbacks off the board, the Panthers don’t necessarily need to reach for someone here with this selection.
Teddy Bridgewater has played pretty well for Carolina in his first year as their starter, and they don’t need to rush to move off of him if they don’t have the right guy available.
Carolina invested its entire 2020 NFL Draft class in the defensive side of the ball, bringing in guys who can establish the culture Matt Rhule wants for his team, and if the make Caleb Farley their top pick, it would mean they still have not picked a single offensive player since Rhule came aboard.
Farley opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but in two seasons at Virginia Tech, he proved himself to be one of the top ballhawks in all of college football.
Built with the size of a safety at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Farley has a unique ability to match up both physically and athletically with any type of wide receiver at the pro level.
He had 16 passes defended and four interceptions in 2019 for the Hokies and showed off his tremendous ball skills and ability to read the quarterback.
As a former quarterback himself, Farley knows how to play with instincts and timing as well as use his physical ability to win matchups.
He has all of the CB1 traits and would be a great fit in Carolina’s young, talented defense.