More than 40 former Florida Gators are in NFL training camps a month out from the 2024 regular season, but a couple of names on that list are in jeopardy of hitting free agency sooner than they would like.
USA TODAY NFL reporter Nate Davis broke down 24 former first-round picks who are running out of chances heading into the season, and he named cornerbacks [autotag]Kaiir Elam[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Henderson[/autotag].
Elam was drafted in 2022 but hasn’t seen many snaps with the Buffalo Bills since. He played around 100 snaps in each of his first two seasons despite spending a good chunk of 2023 on injured reserve.
He’s still in the mix, especially with Tre’Davious White out of the picture, but 2022 sixth-rounder Christian Benford has passed Elam by for the starting job. There’s also Rasul Douglas and Taron Johnson on the roster. Both are considered starting-caliber corners, meaning Elam could be as low as fourth on the depth chart.
“Heading into his third season, (Elam) has yet to distinguish himself (8 career starts) and currently doesn’t seem ticketed for much more than dime and special teams duties until circumstances evolve or his play improves,” said Davis.
Henderson is only four years removed from a Gators uniform, but he’s already an NFL journeyman. He’s entering Year 4 as a Houston Texan, but there’s no guarantee he will make the team.
Davis groups Henderson with former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, who is the highest-drafted cornerback (3rd overall by Detroit) in NFL history.
“They’re fortunate to play a position that’s always in demand and requires elite athletes. Yet neither is guaranteed to make the Texans’ 53-man roster or hardly a lock to continue knocking around the league hoping their draft pedigree gets them additional tryouts.”
It’s a brutal reality that most NFL careers don’t last longer than three years — 3.3 years being the average — and this could be the swan song for both former Gators mentioned above.
Elam is the more likely candidate to get another shot if Buffalo decides to cut him. He could always be part of a trade package to a team less stocked with young secondary players.
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