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Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley is an elite talent. At 6-foot-2, 197 pounds with blazing speed, Farley has rare traits at one of the most important positions on the field.
However, after Farley’s agent broke the news last week he was having a back procedure and would miss Virginia Tech’s pro day, some began to worry.
Sure, Farley’s agent said it was a minor procedure, and he had the surgery now to be ready for training camp. And, most believe he will. But when you mention a back injury or back surgery for any athlete, it does become a concern.
In most mock drafts, Farley has gone anywhere from No. 9 to No. 11. Most have him going to Dallas at No. 10 overall as the first cornerback off the board. In the latest Yahoo Sports’ mock draft, Farley not only falls out of the top 10 but out of the first round entirely.
Five cornerbacks went in the first round.
Could a similar slide happen on draft day?
Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley, a projected first-round pick, missed his pro day due to his back procedure, but here, courtesy of @Bommaritos, was his most recent 40 on March 5th, when performance coach Pete Bommarito said he timed Farley at 4.28 in the 40. pic.twitter.com/cibdZeGUGJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2021
While many believe he is the best cornerback talent in the draft, a second back procedure and a previous knee injury could create pause for many NFL teams. Farley reportedly underwent a similar procedure after the 2019 season. He played much of the 2019 season with a pinched nerve in his back.
Any team that gets Farley either late in the first round or the second round is getting a massive steal. And a player who will have a chip on his shoulder.
We wish Caleb Farley a speedy recovery as he belongs in the top 10 of the 2021 NFL draft.