Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley is certainly a popular projected pick for the San Francisco 49ers within mock drafts. The position was seen as a need entering the offseason, with Richard Sherman expected to play elsewhere in 2021. The team did what it could to ensure some stability at cornerback, re-signing Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, and Dontae Johnson. Ahkello Witherspoon joined the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper considered a quarterback for the 49ers at No. 12 overall but opted to go with former Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley. Kiper's top four quarterback prospects are off the board by the fourth selection within his latest mock draft.
"I'm still not sold on Jimmy Garoppolo as coach Kyle Shanahan's top quarterback going forward," wrote Kiper, "but do the 49ers want to give up the draft capital to trade up to get one of the top four guys? This is a team already without its own third-round pick because of the trade to acquire Trent Williams last year. (It does have a third-round compensatory pick, however.) My feeling is that San Francisco could instead stay put in Round 1 and address its biggest hole with one of the top cornerbacks."
The ESPN analyst had the 49ers trading up for former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in his last mock draft.
Kiper notes that with quarterback Zach Wilson projected to land with the New York Jets at No. 2 overall, that could lead to a trade of Sam Darnold. He notes that San Francisco might be a possible destination for the fourth-year quarterback, possibly surrendering a second-round pick.
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 did not play in 2020, leaving evaluators with only 23 games worth of collegiate film to review.
"Farley is one of the best pure cover corners in this class," added Kiper. "Here's a 'wow' stat, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information: In 2019 -- remember, he opted out of the 2020 season -- Farley allowed a completion percentage of 24.4% when he was the targeted defender in coverage, which ranked No. 1 in FBS. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Farley is having surgery on his back on Tuesday, but as of now, I don't think the injury will affect his draft stock."
The 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29.