Tennessee Titans CB Caleb Farley is their lowest-graded rookie in 2021

The Tennessee Titans have one of their youngest secondary units in years, and that includes 2021 first-rounder Caleb Farley. As Tennessee knows all too well from Isaiah Wilson, last year’s first-round bust, the learning curve for a raw corner may be the most difficult of all positions.

Currently, it seems Farley will sit on the bench for the season opener with Kristian Fulton and Janoris Jenkins tandem-ing the backfield and Elijah Moulden likely starting in the slot.

Farley’s recent inclusion on PFF’s lowest-graded rookie list for the 2021 preseason tells his coaches what they already know: that Farley may not be ready to take the field just yet. But his grade on the list (a lowly 51.9) shouldn’t be too much cause for concern.

He is, after all just a rookie, and writer Michael Renner really only had one line to say about Farley’s performance:

"Farley’s grade came on such a limited sample size — 27 coverage snaps — that I wouldn’t worry about it too much."

Remember that Farley opted out of his final college season, too, so he hasn’t touched the ball in two years. He has also been recovering from some serious back injuries throughout preseason which have naturally hindered his performances.

Tennessee Titans corner Caleb Farley failed to impress in preseason

Farley joined the Titans team as more of a project than a Day One starter, and Tennessee knew that from the beginning.

In the preseason game against the Buccaneers, Farley played the least of all the corners (partly due to his injuries) with just 16 defensive snaps. He was no more than a body on the field, though, and he struggled to notch a single statistic that game.

Maybe his performance wouldn’t have been so bad if his peers didn’t outshine him. Elijah Moulden played three times as many snaps as Farley and notched eight solo tackles, one sack, and one pass defended.

Then again, going back to Renner’s words, throughout all of preseason Farley only had 27 coverage snaps to showcase his abilities on the team. The tiny sample size would make most rookies look like they’re underperforming when in reality, they’re mostly on track and just following the learning curve.

With Tennessee’s first season game in less than a week, Farley will have to shake off the rust a bit quicker. For now, Fulton and Jenkins may take the starting spots, but Farley will get his opportunities to shine.

He just has to take advantage of them.