Former Gator Kaiir Elam Gets Drafted by Buffalo Bills

Former Gator Kaiir Elam Gets Drafted by Buffalo Bills

Former Gator Kaiir Elam was drafted last night at 23rd overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He will look to make an immediate impact on an already competitive Bills team. The Bills traded up from the 25th pick to the 23rd pick to select Elam.

Kaiir Elam spent three years in Gainesville appearing in eight games as a freshman. Elam ended his collegiate career as a Gator with 78 total tackles and six interceptions. He also led the SEC in passes defended as a sophomore with 11. He received first-team All-SEC honors that season as well.

The Buffalo Bills finished last season with an 11-6 record and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of the divisional round. With Tre’Davious White being the number one corner for Buffalo, expect Elam to play opposite of him. Buffalo has lost Levi Wallace, who played opposite White last season, to Pittsburg earlier this offseason.

Elam ran a 4.39 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a time that improved his draft stock. Kaiir Elam used his physicality in college to close off deep routes near the sideline. One of the biggest knocks against Elam is his tackling ability, something he was able to improve some as a junior. He will want to improve it more, however, if he wants to make a significant impact in the NFL. Being able to have the versatility to play in the run game and the passing game will be huge, especially on a team that is hoping to make the Super Bowl.

The Buffalo Bills’ defense was elite last season, and the team believes Elam will help improve that already great defense. One of the things Buffalo may love the most about Elam is he’s young, as he turns 21 next week.

Kaiir Elam getting drafted by the Buffalo Bills gives us another chance to see a former Gator starting and even winning a Super Bowl in the next couple of years.