Florida is known for their ability to put defensive backs into the NFL and this year appears to be no different with Kaiir Elam. Elam has the tools and the frame to be selected in the first round of next year’s draft. However, he will need to refine those tools as he is a raw prospect right now, especially in zone coverage. Elam as eluded to earlier, has the build that the NFL covets, coming in at 6-foot-2 and possessing the length necessary to give receivers fits at the line-of-scrimmage while still maintaining space so they don’t get on his toes. Being that Elam was only a sophomore last season for the Gators, it isn’t expected that he be a finished product, but if he can grow into potential and consistently play at a high level there shouldn’t be any questions about whether or not he is worth a top 32 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pros:

• Click-n-close, gets downhill in a hurry.
• Off-Coverage, processing route combinations, reading from peripherals.
• Patient at the LOS, works laterally, quality jam.
• Plays w/ low hips.
• Quick reaction skills.
• Plays w/ good eyes in man coverage.
• Hand usage throughout the route progression, doesn’t impede on WR.
• Unlocking his hips.
• Ability to recover when he gets beat off the LOS.
• Physical off the line, forces WRs to sideline on vertical routes.
• Will follow players into the slot.
• Does his job against the run, plays with outside leverage.
• Good frame, has more than enough length.
• Improved in zone coverage throughout the course of the season.

Cons:

• Inconsistent with his eyes in zone coverage, tends to get stuck on the QB.
• Isn’t the most forceful against the run.
• Allows too much space in off-coverage, gives up easy catches underneath.
• Long speed isn’t great, can get caught chasing.

2021 Season Statistics:

28 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 39 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 11 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions in 12 games played

Preliminary Grade:

7.00 – 2nd Round Grade