2021 NFL Mock Draft, pre-free agency: Bears trade for Russell Wilson, Bengals move up for Penei Sewell
45. . CB. Denver Broncos. Caleb Farley. 9. player
It’s not been a secret that the Broncos are interested in upgrading their cornerback room. They’d hoped to do that last offseason when they traded for A.J. Bouye but they missed on that and the veteran has since been released. That means Denver is still searching, which is why they make Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech the obvious pick at No. 9.
Farley opted-out of the 2020 season for the Hokies and that definitely should weigh into his evaluation given that he’s still somewhat raw. But his upside at corner is unmatched in this draft class. Farley is a truly unreal athlete who can make any play at any level of the field, especially with impressive size for what he can do physically. That type of player, if given the right coaching, could be a top corner in the NFL sooner rather than later.
CB. Dallas Cowboys. Patrick Surtain II. 10. player. 123.
Looking at the Cowboys and Broncos, it feels almost like a formality that one team will take Farley and the other will take Patrick Surtain II. Both teams need cornerbacks in a big way and are likely the first teams on the clock after the position. And these two are clearly the best at the position. So with Farley going to Denver, that leaves the Alabama star to head to Dallas and join his former Crimson Tide teammate, Trevon Diggs.
Dallas is set to lose a ton from its secondary in free agency and they needed to upgrade at cornerback anyway. Surtain makes a ton of sense as he’s a day-one starter who is extremely sound from a technical aspect, even if he’s not the athlete of someone like Farley. His ceiling is also lower but his floor is higher than most, which makes him a perfect addition for the Cowboys defense.