Best and worst draft picks for the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills Best Pick: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Buffalo Bills have been a league-leading defense for the past three seasons, and part of that is due to the outstanding secondary led by cornerback Tre’Davious White. However, if there has been one weak spot on the back end of the defense, it has been the boundary corner that plays opposite of White.
While the Bills were able to get very serviceable play from incredible value finds in UDFA Levi Wallace and seventh round pick Dane Jackson it was time for the Bills to give White a partner with the potential to be as much as a gamechanger as he is.
Enter Kaiir Elam.
Elam is a long and athletic cornerback who will immediately compete for the second cornerback spot. The Bills had a first-round grade on Elam and traded up two spots in the first round to secure his services. While he fits the length and athleticism profile that the Bills like from their cornerbacks, he also will fit into their scheme. Because of Elam’s length and ball skills, he will be a substantial threat when the Bills play zone. Also, when you think about the sort of help he can get from Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde at safety, Elam can be aggressive just as he was in college.
One thing Elam brings to the Bills, which they did not have, was the size to press larger wide receivers. The Bills’ secondary is not the most physically strong, but Elam will give them at least one cornerback who has the size and finesse to cover larger receivers. We have seen in the past guys like A.J. Brown take advantage of his size and strength against the Bills during the regular season.
Elam ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. This would make him easily the fastest starter in the Bills’ secondary. After that Tyreek Hill touchdown, where he outran the entire Bills defense in the Divisional Round of the playoffs adding speed to the defense, was necessary. Elam brings that speed, and he brings it with a large frame giving Buffalo the specimen at cornerback they have needed.
Where does Elam struggle? First, Elam can get very handsy with receivers. He was flagged seven times last season and occasionally struggled to get his head turned when covering the deeper route in man coverage. This is where the Bills’ zone defense habits will help Elam. He will not be connected to a receiver’s hip as often, keeping everything in front of him and helping him make plays on the ball.
Elam is also not known to be a great tackler, but he is physical and willing to make tackles and put his body in the way of ball carriers. While not many corners coming out of college will be elite tacklers, this should not be a significant concern because Elam has shown he will make those plays.
Lastly, Elam is going to play his rookie season as a 21-year-old. He has time to develop, and Buffalo can be patient. Especially with the current secondary and its depth. Not only did the Buffalo Bills get a super talented prospect, but one who could potentially be a starter for 8+ years.