Tag: Kaiir Elam

NFL analysts suggests the Vikings replace starting cornerback

Should the Minnesota Vikings be looking towards the NFL’s trade market to find an improvement over starting cornerback Byron Murphy?

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense has once again been one of the big storylines in the NFL. Last season, the defense was the only thing keeping the Vikings afloat at times. This season, they’re getting much more help from their offense but have still put together a scheme that has given opposing quarterbacks fits.

The defense has been a driving force in the Vikings’ undefeated start, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas that can be improved. Bleacher Report NFL analyst Matt Holder suggests one of those improvements could be at the cornerback position.

Byron Murphy has been one of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks all season, but he’s also been a weak spot in the Vikings’ defense. Murphy has given up completions on more than 70% of the passes he’s been targeted and has allowed the opposing quarterback to achieve a passer rating over 117 when targeting him, according to the charting from PFF. Murphy has also missed several tackles this season, putting the defense in tough spots.

Those numbers have Holder suggesting the Vikings reach out to the Buffalo Bills and work out a trade for their former first-round cornerback, Kaiir Elam. Elam hasn’t been a factor during his three seasons with the Bills, but Holder argues that’s because he’s been overtaken on the depth chart by a good corner in his own right, Christian Benford.

Given the lack of playing time Elam has seen in Buffalo, it may not take much to pry him away from the Bills. That would be necessary for the Vikings, as they don’t have much draft capital to offer up in any potential trade. Still, it may be worth reaching out and getting a price check on the former first-rounder to see if he could be had and at least compete with Murphy for a starting spot.

Ravens practicing without three starting linemen ahead of Bills matchup

Ravens practicing without three starting linemen ahead of Bills matchup

The Baltimore Ravens had three members of their starting offensive linemen not practicing due to injury to start this week’s practices in preparation for a Sunday night clash with the Buffalo Bills.

On top of three offensive linemen not participating in practice, there’s also a fourth on the injury report but was able to practice.

According to the Ravens’ injury report, center Tyler Linderbaum (knee), left guard Andrews Vorhees (ankle), and right tackle Patrick Mekari (neck) did not practice on Wednesday.

Right guard Daniel Faalele (hip) was on the injury report but practiced fully. He was still listed because NFL rules state any player getting extra treatment on a previous injury still has to be designated on the injury report.

Any amount of starting offensive linemen missing a contest could be a matchup that a defense tries to take advantage of… let alone three to four of them potentially being sidelined.

Also for the Ravens, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) did not practice and linebacker Roquan Smith (ankle) logged a limited practice.

As for the Bills, Terrel Bernard (pectoral), Taron Johnson (forearm), and Tylan Grable (groin) did not practice, and Kaiir Elam (neck) was limited.

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Two former Gators ‘running out of chances’ heading into 2024

A pair of former first-round picks out of the University of Florida enter the 2024 NFL season facing uncertainty.

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.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Bills’ Kaiir Elam trying to ‘play free’ at training camp

Could Elam push for playing time? His thoughts:

As a former first-round pick that his team traded up for, Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam hasn’t had the ideal start to his NFL career.

The No. 23 overall selection at the 2022 NFL draft, Elam has been in and out of the lineup for most of his career. He’s made plays, but sat behind others on the depth chart too.

As training camp unfolds in 2024, Elam is hoping that improved health and confidence will help him secure more playing time. Elam had a strong showing during the seventh camp practice on Thursday for the Bills as he battles Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford for starting spots at outside cornerback next season.

“I’m healthy, man. I’m flying around,” Elam said. “I’m playing free.”

“My confidence is through the roof,” he added.

The injury Elam dealt with on and off last year was a foot issue.

Elam’s play, now at a healthier level, has caught the attention of teammates as well. Safety Taylor Rapp said he sees “growth” in Elam this summer.

“Seeing, especially from the maturity standpoint, he’s obviously a young guy, drafted in the first round. I wasn’t here when in his rookie year, but even throughout all the adversity that he’s dealt with through his whole career, going from his rookie year to last year, he kind of dealt with an injury last year. Just seeing him step up at a maturity standpoint is the biggest growth, the biggest point where I’m most proud of him. Really excited to see how he continues to grow, he’s doing a tremendous job,” Rapp said via video conference.

For more from Elam, see the attached Batavia Daily clip below:

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WATCH: Buffalo Bills players try a ‘milk challenge’

Milk:

Do you know milk?

You probably do better than plenty of Buffalo Bills players.

The likes of Josh Allen, Spencer Brown, Dawson Knox and more players decided to sit down for a “milk challenge” earlier this offseason.

The goal was to try and guess the correct type in a blind challenge.

Check out how the players did in the clip below:

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Bills’ Kaiir Elam keeping belief in himself heading into third year

#Bills’ Kaiir Elam keeping belief in himself heading into third year:

Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam is entering the most important year of his NFL career.

After two seasons, Elam has not impressed as a former first-round pick. While his play has not been consistent, the words have been.

Throughout his struggles, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has made Elam earn any playing time he gets. However, he’s always been supportive.

Likewise, Elam has always remained a believer in himself and that continued during Buffalo’s recent minicamp.

At the spring workouts, Elam’s play has reportedly been solid. He recorded an interception in team drills and will need to keep stacking that positive play. Elam says he knows he can do it.

“I’m a firm believer in what you put in is what you get out,” Elam said.

For more from Elam, see the attached Batavia Daily clip below:

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Bills’ Keon Coleman makes highlight reel catch during minicamp (video)

#Bills’ Keon Coleman makes highlight reel catch during minicamp (video):

Media, fans, players, and coaches got a sample of what Bills coaches, players, and fans hope will become a regular occurrence.

New Buffalo receiver Keon Coleman made a highlight-worthy play during the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, adjusting in mid-air to make a contested jump ball catch on a pass from quarterback Josh Allen.

What’s more, it was in the endzone.

Coleman got both feet down inside the red zone, offering a promising endorsement in support of his own rookie campaign that he might deliver such plays during regular season contests in 2024.

A member of the athletic staff was playing the role of defender on the maneuver that the receiver made to haul in the ball.

Buffalo GM Brandon Beane and the front office drafted Coleman to become a difference-maker on the field. With this limited sample size, he’s showcasing his ability to do just that.

Projected to play at the X-receiver position on route trees, he went for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns on 50 catches with the Florida State Seminoles for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns in his sole season with Florida State last season.

During the minicamp, the rookie worked against veteran corner Rasul Douglas and fellow corner Kaiir Elam to aid in his development toward contributing to regular season game play.

During the week the Bills announced their signing of Coleman to a four-year rookie deal worth over $10 million total in terms of value.

With the signing, all 10 of Buffalo’s 2024 NFL Draft picks are under now officially under contract.

The Bills notably traded back twice to acquire additional draft capital assets and to select Coleman at No. 33 overall to kick off the top of the second round. The pick right before him, receiver Xavier Legette at 32nd overall signed for $12.3 million and a $5.8 million signing bonus with the Carolina Panthers. 34th overall selection by the Los Angeles Chargers, receiver Ladd McConkey, has yet to sign though he’s projected to land a four-year $9.9 million pact with a $4 million signing bonus, per Spotrac.

For Allen, who’s been building chemistry with his new teammates and working on his throwing mechanics, and Coleman, the workouts are a start to what many in Buffalo hope will lead to a successful partnership on the field.

The three days of minicamp practice serve as a prelude to next month’s kickoff of training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY, and will be the last time the team is on the field until then.

Bills’ Kaiir Elam plans to learn from past struggles

Can Elam turn it around?

The Buffalo Bills have always backed cornerback Kaiir Elam.

During last year’s postseason despite overall struggles throughout the season, head coach Sean McDermott always showed his support for Elam.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Kaiir, and a young player, right, in this situation here. How he handled it, how he stayed mentally tough, he kept working, and he comes back and helps us in a huge way,” McDermott commented after a playoff interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers by Elam.

That full picture of disappointment is what is still on the former first-round picks’ mind, though. As he has in the past, Elam is saying he wants to use that as motivation during this year’s spring practices.

“I learned to appreciate the struggles cause it helped me to become who I am now,” Elam said.

For more from Elam, see the attached WROC-TV clip below:

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10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024

10 #Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane made headlines as of late by pointing to where the Bills need to get younger at key positions and hit on their upcoming NFL Draft picks.

He also forecasted a 2024 roster in which younger players may need to step in and step up to play more hands-on roles than the team usually asks of them early on in their professional careers.

Without knowing who this offseason’s new additions might be via the draft and free agency, some players already on the Bills depth chart could prove to be contributors this upcoming season.

Here are 10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each:

The Buffalo Bills 2023 season concluded with an 11-6 record, another AFC East crown, a No. 2 playoff seed, and another division-round exit.

GM Brandon Beane is looking to improve and help get the Bills into the Super Bowl in 2024.

To do so. this offseason, he’ll aim to get Buffalo’s roster younger at key positions and to hit on draft picks for more immediate contributors. He’ll also restructure contracts and look at extensions to get under the salary cap.

Buffalo has another long list of players poised to hit free agency and some who could be cap casualties, so they’ll need to make a call on which of those players could factor into the team’s long-term plans to know who to prioritize.

From potential cut candidates to re-signings, to whether to let some players walk as free agents, here are some roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024…