Kaiir Elam CB Scouting Report

[Jets Global]

Kaiir Elam NFL Draft Profile Position: Cornerback School: Florida Current Year: Junior Height: 6'2" Weight: 193 pounds
Kaiir Elam Scouting Report Kaiir is a long defender, standing at around 6’2″, 193 pounds, and yet, he moves extremely well. He possesses unreal explosiveness in out-of-direction changes, and he also has incredibly fluid hips. He completes challenging direction changes with ease and quickness, and he can stop and start with impressive suddenness and control. His short-area quickness translates into several facets of his game. He has searing explosiveness coming downfield to stop short routes while using his athleticism to make an impact in the backfield. His physical profile provides an excellent foundation on which to build the rest of his game. Of course, NFL cornerbacks can’t rely solely on their physical traits. There has to be a degree of instinct and mental proficiency present. With Elam, that is undoubtedly the case. One of the most exciting details regarding Elam is that he’s not a purely reactive player. Being purely reactive is a good way to be a step behind at cornerback. On the contrary, Elam is proactive, confident in what he sees, and has very good pre-snap and post-snap instincts. He reads quarterbacks’ eyes well, and he’s exceptional at anticipating routes and breaking early.
Areas for Improvement Kaiir size can hinder his ability to get off blocks, and he could become a more consistent tackler. He brings urgency in tackling situations, but he doesn’t wrap up often enough at this point. Taking better angles should help — Elam can sometimes overshoot his targets with his explosive burst. In coverage, Elam could refine his game a bit. For example, he sometimes second-guesses himself when committing to coverage angles. Furthermore, he can stand to improve his footwork, especially in off-man. This ultimately makes his profile more exciting, however. As it stands, Elam is already a fairly sticky man coverage cornerback. With further refinement of his footwork, his combination of length, mobility, and ball skills could be a death knell for opposing receivers. It could also eventually earn him the CB1 designation.
Kaiir Elam Career at Florida As a true freshman, he earned consistent playing time across from fellow first-round aspirant C.J. Henderson. Over that span, Elam picked up 2 interceptions and 4 pass deflections in eight games. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors and excitement built for the 2020 season. Ahead of 2020, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Henderson, and Elam became the top CB in Florida’s secondary. That promotion came with heightened expectations, but the pressure didn’t faze Elam. He upped his production in 2020, accumulating 39 tackles, 2 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 fumble recoveries. As a result, Elam was given first-team All-SEC recognition, honored as one of the best CBs in the SEC in just his second season. Now, the Florida CB heads into his first year of draft eligibility, and the expectations are as high as they’ve been. Elam has the skill set and pedigree to pace his position. But can he continue to build on his success and leave evaluators with his best season yet in 2021? As Elam’s scouting report proves, his talent yields astronomical potential.
Kaiir Elam NFL Draft Player Profile Elam has terrific closing burst at the catch point. His precise sense of timing allows him to impact the ball when and where he needs to. He has the length to disrupt, as is evidenced by his ball production in 2020. Players like Stingley and Andrew Booth are revered for their ball skills, and rightfully so. Nevertheless, Elam isn’t far behind in that regard. As a former receiver, he can rise vertically for passes, and his precise coordination at the catch point is superb. Elam is proficient in press, just as he is in zone and off-man coverage. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, and he doesn’t often bite on receiver fakes and misdirection. Additionally, the Florida CB rarely gets off-balance after jamming at the line, and he can seamlessly transition from press to downfield tracking. Elam’s physicality also shows up in run support, where he’s both timely and aggressive.