The 2022 NFL draft is still months away, but the experts are updating their boards as the offseason continues. ESPN’s Todd McShay has three Florida Gators on his radar following the Senior Bowl, according to his most recent update.
In January, McShay released his top 32 overall, and Kaiir Elam made the cut at No. 25 and the fifth cornerback on the list. This time around Elam is out of the top 32 and is No. 8 for cornerbacks. Whatever McShay saw in the last month with Elam has caused Florida’s top corner in 2021 to drop from a 90-grade draft prospect to an 86-grade prospect.
Elam finished his career at Florida with the reputation of being a shutdown corner, but two rough seasons overall for the Gators’ defense appear to be hurting his draft stock. In December, McShay had him at No. 18 overall. Long considered a lock for the first round, Elam could be looking at a second-day selection at this point.
McShay also has defensive lineman Zachary Carter and running back Dameon Pierce ranked in the top 10 at their respective positions. Pierce was a standout at the Senior Bowl and is now the seventh-best running back on McShay’s board. Carter is the No. 9 defensive tackle in the country.
Pierce was underused at Florida, so he should be ready to contribute to an NFL team right away with the upside of having fewer miles on him than most seniors out of college.
The university has yet to announce a pro day for this year’s draft hopefuls.
The 2022 NFL draft begins on April 28.
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