Patriots work out former first-round pick who would provide depth at a premium position
The idea of betting on talent is what can change fortunes in the NFL. And that's what the New England Patriots are considering. This week, the team has worked out former first-round cornerback Caleb Farley, who has recently been cut by the Tennessee Titans. A highly-touted prospect coming out of Virginia Tech, he played only […]
The idea of betting on talent is what can change fortunes in the NFL. And that's what the New England Patriots are considering. This week, the team has worked out former first-round cornerback Caleb Farley, who has recently been cut by the Tennessee Titans.
A highly-touted prospect coming out of Virginia Tech, he played only 12 games in his first three seasons because of multiple injuries.
"I can't change nothing. I have to stay in the present, because when I think about the past, I get sad. When I think about the future, I get anxious," Farley said earlier this year when asked about his path and his faith to keep playing. "I just stay in the present, and I'm doing my best."
Farley's back problems go back to his time in college, and it was a red flag during the draft process. He tore his ACL as a rookie and, in 2022, was placed on IR because of a herniated disk. The spent the entire 2023 season on the physically unable to perform list because of his back issues.
"My back is fine," Farley said back in January. "Nothing in my back hurts. But there's a nerve that has been affected at different times that has caused a lack of strength in my left leg. It is an odd situation."
When Farley was cut by the Titans, he became available to every NFL team on waivers. No team put a claim request, and the 25-year-old cornerback became a street free agent for the first time in his career.
For the Patriots, the workout is a possibility to see where Farley is physically and if he can still play at a good level.
In the NFL, Caleb Farley has never had continuity, which also affected his play. He was on the field for 60 snaps in 2021, with a 45.7 PFF grade (40.7 in coverage) and 104 snaps in 2022, with a 42.5 PFF grade (34.7 in coverage). Curiously enough, the run defense was his most impactful attribute (71.8 and 84.7 grades), which bodes well for the type of corner the Patriots value.
Since he's a free agent now, the defensive back can be signed to the practice squad, for instance.
Titans make roster decision on former first-round pick Caleb Farley
Titans move on from former first-rounder Caleb Farley.
