From now until the 2022 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be profiling a cornerback prospect that has the length and measurables to profile as a prototypical press man CB at the next level from a school I know well.
#5 Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (Junior) – 6020, 196lb
Measurements
Combine Invite
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press |
— Possesses the size and length you look for in a prototypical press man CB
— Has a long frame with the arms to minimize passing lanes and contest 50/50 balls
— Can battle larger receivers in the red zone and contest passes at the catch point well
— Has shown the ability to cover TEs in the slot while primarily functioning as a perimeter defender
— Has the quick trigger to click-and-close downhill on pass thrown in front of him in zone coverage to attack the receiver as a tackler to contest the pass
— Possesses fair long speed and burst, but has the recovery speed to run with receivers down the field should they stack him
— Physical at the catch point playing through the receiver’s hands
— Can be a willing tackler that has no problem engaging blocks on the outside
— Will look to uproot ball carriers by their legs with an aggressive tackling style
— Can be patient at the LOS in press man, being accurate with his jam and to open and run
— Will look to throw receivers off their routes in press man coverage, being physical down the field with his hand fighting
— Has the ball skills to high point the football in the air like it is his or attempt to make the diving catch
— Has good recovery speed and burst, but doesn’t have great straight-line speed
— Can rely too much on his jam at times and not make good transitions with his footwork and hip turn in coverage
— May have slightly tight hips when attempting to open up quickly to turn and run with receivers down the field
— Can get too much of a forward lean at times with his punch in press man, causing him to stall his feet and potentially whiff
— Hand fighting and grabby nature will lead to likely more PI calls at the next level
— Can do a better job of shedding blocks on the outside to aid in the run game
— Hot-and-cold as a tackler displaying want-to on some plays but appears disinterested and avoids contact on others
— Needs to be more consistent when coming up and hitting ball carriers with his breakdown and running through his man rather than arm/shoulder tackling
— Junior prospect from Riviera Beach, FL
— Played both defensive back and wide receiver in high school
— Multi-sport athlete who also played basketball and ran track where he finished eighth in the 100 meters at the 2018 FHSAA Class 1A State Finals
— Uncle, former Gators safety and NFL First Round Pick Matt Elam was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2013 NFL Draft
— Appeared in all 13 games and made five starts in his first collegiate season where he totaled 11 tackles (eight solo), three interceptions and four passes defended
— Started at cornerback in all 12 games of the season and finished his sophomore campaign with 39 tackles (28 solo), one TFL, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery
— Started at cornerback in ten games this season after injuring his knee in the Alabama game, causing him to miss three weeks and recorded 29 total stops (17 solo), 1.