4. CB Kaiir Elam, Jr. Florida
Florida has become pretty good at this whole defensive back thing.
11 Gator DBs have been selected over the last six NFL drafts, and there are more on the way to the next level in the near future, starting with Elam.
The 6-2, 195-pounder has the size and the frame to be what the next level is looking for, and he’s got the raw wheels to be just fine against any type of target. There’s one big problem, though, at least for this list …
His stats might not be splashy enough for the world to take notice, partly because no one will throw his way.
Elam broke up eight passes in the first four games and three the rest of the way. That’s not because he got worse, it’s because offensive coordinators didn’t want to deal with him.
However, game after game this year, watch and listen for how he’s being talked about – he’s a top ten overall talent who’ll be in the spotlight against everyone’s best target.
LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. has the bigger name and the buzz to be the most talented player likely to be in the 2022 NFL Draft, but don’t be fall-off-your-chair stunned if some teams like Elam more.
The nephew of former Florida star safety Matt Elam can tackle, and he proved last year to be an elite ball hawk with two picks and 11 broken up passes to go along with his 39 stops.