New Orleans Saints should trade up if Caleb Farley falls past 16

There’s no denying that the only position the New Orleans Saints must fill before the start of the season is cornerback, and if Caleb Farley falls, they should jump to get him. After all, even Sean Payton knows the need is there.

The New Orleans Saints have the picks in both this draft and future drafts to trade up from 28 into the late teens. They should do so if Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley slips outside of the top 15.

Since the New Orleans Saints released Janoris Jenkins this offseason, the team must look to draft a cornerback, and Caleb Farley is a name to keep in mind.

Farley is expected to be ready for training camp, but if there’s offseason surgery, concern for teams with a top-15 pick will always be there. That said, the Saints could get lucky with the draft’s best cornerback if he does drop.

At 6-foot-2, Farley has the size to be a stud at the next level.

"“Farley possesses rare size for the position and does an excellent job of utilizing his frame and length to charge rent inside the catch space. While his traits and ball skills will be coveted, he’s still light on overall reps at the cornerback position,” NFL.com wrote in his overview."

While at Virginia Tech, Farley, as a sophomore, recorded 20 tackles and 4 interceptions in 10 games. He also totaled 12 passes defended that season, so it’s clear his ball-hawking ability is there.

To get up to around 18, the Saints would likely have to part ways with their first-round pick, their two third-round picks, and potentially a fourth- or fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft as well. While it sounds like quite a bit, their need for a top-tier cornerback is that great.

Farley’s offseason back surgery would likely be the reason teams pass on him. As for his surgery, Farley had a microdiscectomy done. It’s considered a minor surgery, so it’s hopeful that there are no lingering side effects.

Farley’s size and abilities have all the makings of a special prospect, and the Saints have the need. It’s a match made in heaven, but who knows if the New Orleans management feels he’s worthy of paying such a price in a trade-up.

Given the difference between Jaycee Horn and Farley, I’d think if he falls outside of the top 15 the Saints should start looking at what it would cost to trade up.