New York Giants Film Room: 2021 draft target Caleb Farley

Taking a look at how Virginia Tech cornerback and potential Giants draft target Caleb Farley fared at the collegiate level.

Caleb Farley Info

• Virginia Tech cornerback
• 6-foot-2, 207 pounds
• First-team All-ACC in 2019
• Four interceptions, 12 passes defended, 20 combined tackles in 2019 (10 games); Two interceptions, seven passes defended, 36 combined tackles in 2018 (13 games)
• Opted out of 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns

How would Caleb Farley Fit into the Giants Roster?

If the Giants were to go with a defensive weapon at No. 11 overall and acquire Virginia Tech’s Farley, the young cornerback could be a situational defensive back and nickel corner to commence his pro career. It wouldn’t be in the team’s best interest to field him at the starting outside corner role right away — just look at how that turned out with DeAndre Baker during his rookie season.

The Giants could sign a veteran such as Ronald Darby or Xavier Rhodes to man the outside corner position for a season while Farley develops. By year two, Farley would then hopefully be a full-time starter.

The difference in the speed of the game from college to the pros is tremendously significant, and you could argue that concept is most realized in the secondary.

Film Room Notes

Farley and Virginia Tech’s 21-20 loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 2, 2019

Farley racked up three total tackles (all solo) with no interceptions or pass breakups during the defeat.

On the first play of the game, Farley portrays his ability to line up near the line of scrimmage but still implement great speed in order to stay with the tight end step-for-step on a drag route. However, he must make a better play on the ball here.

The young defensive back shows good technique on the above play, employing a low base before opening up his stance using his outside foot. He’s then able to stay with the receiver down the sideline.

This play isn’t as impressive as some others — Farley needs to keep his composure here and cannot overrun his man and jump the double route. The result ends up being a first down.

Farley stays under control and perfectly times his release from the backpedal, which allows him to keep with his matchup down the field. The great timing is executed by watching the receiver’s hips.

Later in the game, Farley bites on the fake but is still able to keep his composure, quickly recover, and properly cover the dig route.

On the final drive, Notre Dame needs a touchdown — Farley realizes the situation and covers the deep ball before anything, opening up right away with his inside foot in order to keep the receiver from going out of bounds and stopping the clock if he does indeed reel in a catch. Farley then stays with the opponent and is physical enough when the ball comes their way.

Farley and Virginia Tech’s 42-35 win over Miami on Oct. 5, 2019

During the victory, Farley notched two total tackles (one solo, one assisted) with one pass breakup and a pair of interceptions.

Farley shows an inability to shed a block in the above clip; this will be an issue in the NFL.

Farley needs to do a better job of forcing the opposing running back (in this case, former Miami back DeeJay Dallas) to the inside, but nonetheless, he wraps him up for the impressive tackle and ultimately portrays a physical side to his game.

This is a phenomenal play from Farley; the Hokie quickly opens up out of the backpedal when the receiver accelerates, is fast enough to stay on the receiver’s hip, and employs great vision to locate the ball and make a play on it for the interception in the end zone.

Farley does a great job down near the goal line on this play, showing off superb footwork on the double move and making a great cut on the ball for the interception. He doesn’t need to get the outside hand on the receiver’s hip — the wideout’s already in the end zone, where’s he going to go if he ultimately catches it?

Farley is smart enough to realize that situation and adjust accordingly.

Even when the quarterback needs to go off-script and extend the play, Farley is still talented and athletic enough to keep up with his matchup.

This play isn’t so great; Farley must do a better job of turning his head and locating the ball. That type of weakness won’t fare well at the professional level.

Farley remains step-for-step with his receiver on the post route and makes a great play on the ball to knock it away (he has to reel in the pick though).

The last two plays we’ll show aren’t great looks for Farley, with the above clip portraying a below-average backpedal stance (he isn’t low enough). This leads to the wideout beating Caleb for the score.

On the ensuing two-point conversion, Farley takes a bad angle on the attempted tackle — Miami thus found the end zone on the play.