One of the more interesting names to follow in the next few weeks will be Caleb Farley. The star cornerback from Virginia Tech was the clear number-two cornerback, behind Jeff Okudah in the 2020 NFL draft before he returned to school. Unfortunately for Farley, things did not break his way and with a weird COVID season, Farley opted out.
While the opt-out did hurt his buzz, Farley fell from a top 10 lock to a question mark when he missed his Pro Day workout due to a back procedure. This is very notable, not only because back injuries are much worse than others. Farley also missed the end of his 2019 campaign with a back issue. Farley went back to VT to get healthy and get ready for 2020, but neither health nor playing came.
So, every reason Farley went back to improve his stock wound up hurting his stock. This has left him in an interesting spot where teams can forget his issues and draft him high, or consider them and question when the talent is worth the risk.
For the Chicago Bears, they could very easily see themselves being in play for Farley, after he was almost a lock to be drafted before pick 20 a few months ago.
While Farley is expected to fall near pick 20, he is still expected to go in the first round. Adam Schefter reported that Farley got himself checked out at the medical combine, and most teams are satisfied with his status.
On the field, Farley is a perfect fit. He has more experience in zone than man, and his biggest questions come from following receivers laterally across the field. However, if you have watched Kyle Fuller and the Chicago Bears defense, you know that they do not move their corners from their side of the field. This is an easier transition for Farley, who can read the field and rely on his traits to break and close on passes. He has elite athletic traits and is not afraid to get in receivers’ faces.
Speaking of Fuller, the move would have the Bears going right back to the VT well to replace their former Hokie corner.
At pick 20, the Chicago Bears know that they cannot get their hands on the elite of the elite. However, with Farley that is very possible. The Bears could get a cornerback to fill a position of need, and add a player who has the upside to be one of the best players in the draft.
The risk is obvious, but to get a top 10 pick at pick 20 may be enough of a discount to give him a shot.