When considering Virginia Tech's uber-talented defensive back Caleb Farley and whether he's a first-round NFL talent, there's just a lot to spool through in the days leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft

On Wednesday morning, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed the 6-foot-2, 205-pound phenom tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. However, while he won't be able to attend the 2021 NFL Draft, he's “asymptomatic and feels totally fine.”

On Tuesday morning, NFL Network's Ross Tucker shared new information from Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero regarding Farley's health concerns, which are unfortunately aplenty:

To quickly recap, that's:

  • Missing his Pro Day following his second surgery, on an injury caused by a 2019 deadlifting session
  • Consistently battling sciatica during his All-ACC First-Team 2019 campaign
  • A discectomy in Feb. 2020, which served as the first surgery post-injury
  • Opting out of the 2020 college football season, due to COVID-19 concerns
  • An irritation from the first surgery, thus leading to this second surgery
  • An ACL tear in 2017, when he was an early entrant at Virginia Tech and played wide receiver
  • Missing 17 months of live football action and considerable reps

NFL insider Benjamin Allbright added more clarity to Caleb Farley's first-round speculation on Wednesday, too, stating that “multiple teams” have told him that “they're convinced he needs/will need additional surgery” to continue steady and thoughtful repairs of his spinal discs.

It's a tough, tough 48 hours for any NFL Draft candidate to take … much less someone expecting to be one of the higher selected defensive backs in this class.

Despite missing his Pro Day on March 26, Farley apparently had his 40-time clocked at 4.28 by performance coach Pete Bommarito on March 5:

If accurate, it's the fastest 40-time at the defensive back position in the 2021 NFL Draft class.

In 43 games for the Hokies in 2018-19, Farley amassed 56 total tackles, six interceptions and 19 pass deflections against some of the best talent in the country. It's a strong two-year projection of what Farley is capable of at the next level, if healthy, and according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler — author of the mega-comprehensive “The Beast” annual draft guide — Farley is the fourth-best defensive back in the draft, behind Alabama's Patrick Surtain II, South Carolina's Jaycee Horn and Northwestern's Greg Newsome II.

Farley also allowed a completion rate of less than 50% on passes thrown in his direction, per profootballrumors.com's Zachary Links.

Brugler also projects Farley as a late first-round, early second-round type talent:

“Overall, Farley might have some rough patches early on and his past injuries are a strong concern, but he has outstanding physical tools with the natural instincts and ball skills to consistently stay in phase and make plays on the ball,” Brugler said. “He projects as a press-man starter with Pro Bowl upside if healthy.”

“Pro Bowl upside” sounds pretty, pretty good, especially if Farley slides like so many draft experts are expecting. Getting him acute medical attention and easing him into the rigors of the NFL could pay major, major dividends for any franchise — particularly if they don't have to grab him at a first-round price.

Drew Rosenhaus, however, doubled down on Tuesday, telling Pellisero that his client “won't make it past No. 20” in the draft:

A good defensive back is one position any NFL team will take a chance on in a pass-happy league. But is Caleb Farley destined to be a top-32 selection? It's a stingy, debatable question that further colors in some intrigue going into Thursday's festivities.