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Florida football: Top 3 2022 NFL Draft Prospects

By Jeremy Trottier

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Kaiir Elam #5 of the Florida Gators looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Towson Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Kaiir Elam #5 of the Florida Gators looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Towson Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 28: Kaiir Elam #5 of the Florida Gators looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Towson Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 28, 2019, in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

Kaiir Elam – Florida football CB 

Projection: Late Round 1 – Early Round 2

The clear-cut first prospect off the board for Florida football should be Kaiir Elam.  While he has missed a few games this season, overall he is the best prospect in this class from the Florida Gators and is not necessarily contested for the spot.  Many mock drafts & big boards have Elam ranked in the high 30s, near the end of the 1st round, or one of the first picks in the second round.  As for my feelings on his value, he is easily in the tier of cornerbacks in this class slightly under Derek Stingley Jr., including Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Andrew Booth Jr., and potentially either Trend McDuffie or Roger McCreary depending on your view of them.

Overall, Elam is a spectacular cornerback who would fit well in two different schemes, Zone or Press Man.  His physicality and athleticism, as well as length at 6’2″ shine press man where he can use his hands and get physical before the play.  His ball skills and tracking are very solid, and he would translate exceptionally well at the next level in a Zone system.  He should be one of the first five corners off the board at the very least, potentially top 3, and should be a great pickup for whichever team takes him.

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