NFL Mock Draft 2021: Patriots, Washington trade up in 3-round mock

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Ohio State QB Justin Fields (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Ohio State QB Justin Fields (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Caleb Farley, 2021 NFL mock draft
Caleb Farley at No. 23 in this 2021 NFL mock draft (Photo by Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports) /

2021 NFL Mock Draft: 23rd pick

Virginia Tech. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. Caleb Farley. 23. 30

After snagging Zach Wilson with their top pick, how will the New York Jets follow it up at pick 23?

With one of the picks they acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade, the Jets revamp their own secondary by stopping the drop of Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley.

Farley, if he can stay healthy, could wind up as one of the biggest steals in the 2021 NFL Draft.

At pick number 23 overall, he’s well worth the risk here.

At 6-foot-2, over 200 pounds, the former dual-threat quarterback turned receiver turned playmaking defensive back is a rare type of athlete at his position. He has tremendous length and maybe the best ball skills of any cornerback in this year’s class.

Farley’s sub-4.4 speed makes him a great matchup for any type of receiver on the outside and for the Jets, he could be a cornerstone type of piece in Robert Saleh’s defense.

Saleh knows how to get the best out of his players. The Jets have invested in their pass rush in free agency by bringing in Carl Lawson from the Bengals. Sheldon Rankins comes over from the Saints to pair up with Quinnen Williams on the defensive front to give this team some guys who can dominate one-on-one matchups.

A player like Caleb Farley, who has been a projected top-10 pick most of the offseason, could really take advantage of that pressure and get Zach Wilson and the offense more opportunities.