Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Draft Prospect to Know: Kaiir Elam

Another cornerback who could be an option at the end of the first round for the Buffalo Bills is Kaiir Elam out of the University of Florida. Let’s take a closer look at the player and what he might bring to this defense.

Measurables/Stats

Height: 6’1 1/2″

Weight: 191 pounds

Arms: 30 7/8″

Hands: 8 7/8″

Kaiir Elam had a good start to his career with the Florida Gators with 49 total tackles, four interceptions, and 15 passes defended in 20 games between 2019 and 2020.

However, he appeared to struggle last year with the Gators and had only 29 total tackles, one interception, and five passes defended in 10 games.

NFL.com Scouting Report by Lance Zierlein

"Elam is the next up in a long line of talented Florida cornerbacks, but he failed to play his best football in his final collegiate season. He is patient and strong to mirror and impede releases but inconsistent staying connected to the early stages of the route. He plays with good awareness in zone and has the twitch and length to make plays on the throw when squatting in space. He was beat on deep patterns against Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, which might have led to excessive grabbing and an overall lack of trust in his technique on the 2021 tape. He plays big at the catch point but smaller in run support. Elam has early CB3 and eventual CB2 value as a press and zone corner."

How Kaiir Elam fits with the Buffalo Bills

The struggles in his final season with the Florida Gators should give some teams pause and he could slip down some draft boards, possibly into Day 2. For the Buffalo Bills, one reason that Elam might not be a good fit is that Zierlein notes he plays small in run support. The Bills have typically looked for corners that do a good job tackling.

However, there is a lot to like about his game and reasons why he might be a good fit with the Buffalo Bills. Elam has good size to match up with opposing wide receivers and has shown enough that the Bills could be confident in his ability to play zone.

He certainly would need to clean up some of his technique before he could be considered a starter for this team.

If the Buffalo Bills were to draft Kaiir Elam, it wouldn’t be a foregone conclusion that he earns the starting job and Dane Jackson could have a good chance of keeping the job this season. The Buffalo Bills have a need at the position but considering the draft capital likely needed to draft him, this is one that doesn’t feel like a perfect fit for what they look for.