Selecting Caleb Farley was a risk for the Tennessee Titans and his health will be critical to the team’s success in the 2021 season.
With a bevy of options for them at the No. 22 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans elected to gamble on the injury risk of Caleb Farley, the Virginia Tech cornerback who underwent already his second back surgery at just 22 years old this offseason. Of course, there’s a good reason for taking that gamble.
At full strength, the argument can be made that no cornerback in the rookie class can match Farley’s talent and upside. His blend of size, length, athleticism, speed and ball skills comprise a player with the potential to be one of the best in the NFL at the position. There is some rawness to his game, to be sure, but Farley is well on-track to being great if he can stay on the field.
Unfortunately, the Titans have yet to fully see him in that capacity this offseason through rookie minicamps, practices, OTAs and so on. Still rehabbing from his back surgery, Tennessee has been pleased with the work he’s been asked to do thus far, per Adam Holt of AtoZ Sports.
As good as that sounds, though, getting Farley on the field is crucial for the Titans in the 2021 season. Without the rookie in the secondary, the chances of success become lesser in a noticeable way.
Caleb Farley is one of the linchpins for the Titans in the 2021 season.
Tennessee made some massive changes this offseason, notably adding Bud Dupree in free agency and Julio Jones via trade. However, they also completely overhauled their secondary, allowing veterans Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson, among others, to walk.
The process behind doing so makes sense has the Titans want to develop a more physical approach on that side of the ball under head coach Mike Vrabel. With that said, their moves have left them relatively thin at cornerback, even with the additions of Janoris Jenkins and another rookie, Elijah Molden. Perhaps the only other semi-reliable name in that group would be Kristian Fulton.
Without Farley in the fold, that is a dangerously thin and unproven group. Granted, they are still unproven with the rookie as a starter but, given his talent, things are still much less of a concern if the first-rounder is able to consistently be on the field.
The fact that Farley has been getting praised by his coaches is an undeniably positive sign and, if we can infer anything, it’s that he seems on track to see the field. But given his injury risk, Titans fans should be crossing their fingers that he can get on the field and stay there. The difference between a booming success and a disappointing campaign might hinge on the rookie’s availability.