49ers select Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley in latest PFF mock draft

Seth Galina released the latest mock draft for Pro Football Focus and has the San Francisco 49ers addressing one of their biggest needs—cornerback. The 49ers stand to lose most of their cornerbacks in free agency, including Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, and K'Waun Williams. Galina has San Francisco mitigating the potential losses with the addition of former Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley.

Galina also notes that it's an opportunity to get younger at the position. Sherman will turn 33 later this month. Farley is 22 years old.

"With the 49ers most likely losing Richard Sherman in free agency, it's time to get younger at the position," wrote Galina. "Farley is young and extremely athletic. Left on islands a lot in Virginia Tech's system in 2019, he performed at an elite level, allowing a passer rating of just 26.8 on throws into his coverage."

Farley (6-2, 207) recorded 20 tackles, four interceptions, a touchdown, and 12 passes defensed through 10 games as a sophomore in 2019, per Sports Reference, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He, like many others, did not play in 2020, leaving evaluators with only 23 career collegiate games to review.

Pro Football Focus analyst Sam Monson is also impressed with Farley, calling him a "physical freak."

"His most special trait is the closing speed and burst to the catch point that he can bring, often rescuing plays where he looks beaten and making a play despite giving up separation early," wrote Monson in a recent evaluation. "At the NFL level, receivers are big, fast and able to separate regularly. Expecting a corner never to allow a gap to open up is just unrealistic, so Farley's ability to close that gap just as quickly as it opens is hugely valuable."

The 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29.