Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2021 NFL draft this year. He is considered one of the top three with Alabama’s Patrick Surtain and South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn. The one potential red flag for Farley was a recent back surgery he had, which is the second he has had.
However, he was given good news in Indianapolis when he went in for his medical evaluation before the draft, according to NBC Sports’ Peter King.
After undergoing a microdiscectomy (removing a damaged section of a herniated disc) in his back March 23 in Los Angeles, Farley told me Saturday that after imaging and a thorough physical and back exam in Indianapolis, he’s been cleared by NFL docs for the 2021 season.
Farley was told he’d need four months of rehab and recovery after the surgery, and that was the timetable the NFL medics saw over the weekend. “I got a lot of positive feedback from the NFL doctors,” Farley said. “The NFL doctors confirmed I would be ready for the season, and they told me this is definitely not a chronic thing.”
Four months from the date of the surgery is July 23. Most NFL camps open July 27. So Farley, the top corner on some boards before his surgery, should be ready to go at the start of camp, per doctors. “I plan to be the best cornerback of my generation,” he said. “I just can’t wait to get back in the pads again.” Expect him to be a first-round corner, still.
This matches what he told reporters at his pro day. It was a workout injury and not a football injury. The second surgery was something that, in hindsight, he probably should have done in the first procedure.
The Cardinals, who have the 16th pick in the first round, will very likely have the opportunity to draft him. His talent is undeniable and his athleticism is elite. If the injury isn’t considered chronic, then there should be no reservations about taking him with the 16th overall pick.
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