The New Orleans Saints apparently have a specific player in mind with their first-round pick at Thursday night's NFL Draft -- and they are said to be willing to make a trade to ensure that they get him.
The Saints are big on Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo, and could be looking to move up to select him.
Robinson, who appeared this week on a Nashville radio station, said the Saints seem to think the Titans, who pick 22nd overall, are also interested in Farley. So, the Saints would have to trade up to at least 21st overall if they think they need to get in front of Tennessee to take Farley.
Farley, 22, opted out of the 2020 college football season due to the pandemic. He is consistently ranked among the top cornerbacks in his class, along with Patrick Surtain Jr. of Alabama, Jaycee Horn of South Carolina, and Asante Samuel Jr. of Florida State.
Some Draft experts say Farley could have been a top-10 pick if not for uncertainty over the condition of his balky back, for which he's had two surgeries since appearing in his last game in 2019.
The Saints are on record as looking to address the cornerback position. The team this offseason released former starter Janoris Jenkins amid a salary cap crunch.
As well, the status of starter Marshon Lattimore is in question following his recent arrest on a felony gun charge.
"Corner is an area that we have to address here between now and the start of the season, and I think we'll be able to find that," head coach Sean Payton recently told NOLA.com.
With the Titans picking at No. 22, the Saints could potentially be looking at making a deal to move up involving either The Washington Football Team, Chicago Bears, or Indianapolis Colts, who have the 19th, 20th, and 21st selections, respectively.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram