Getting to know Kaiir Elam

The Bills selected CB Kaiir Elam out of Florida with the 23rd overall pick in last week’s draft.

I’m sure many of you are curious to learn just a little bit more about the Bills’ first-round draft pick this year, who is going to be stepping in right away to play a major role in the defense. So let’s get to know Kaiir Elam a little more, shall we?

In Elam’s sophomore year with the Gators in 2020, he had a breakout season. He earned First-Team SEC honors in a season in which he started all 12 games, had 39 tackles, 2 INT and 11 pass breakups. After that season he earned the status of being one of the elite young CBs in the country.

Elam is celebrating his 21st birthday today, May 5. First-Team SEC honors and being a first-round NFL draft pick before being able to purchase a beer is pretty amazing accomplishment if you ask me.

Elam won’t be the first member of his family to play in the NFL. His father Abram Elam was an UDFA signing in 2005 and played as a safety from 2006-2012. Some Bills fans may be familiar with him as he had a pick six against the Bills in 2008 as a member of the Jets – the only pick six in his career. And now his son will be doing the same thing for the Bills for the next several years.

Not only is Elam a stud on the field, but he was also a stud in the classroom. In 2019-2020 Elam was named to SEC first-team academic honor roll, majoring in Sports Management. This should carry over to the on-the-field play and being able to learn and comprehend new plays and schemes in this Bills defense.

In his interview during the NFL combine, Elam had a full report in a book of plays that hurt him and where he got beat on, and had notes written of how how he can potentially work to improve on those. Elam said “I’m really big on self-improvement” and that’s a statement that stood out to Brandon Beane and the rest of the Bills staff. They knew he would not only be a tremendous player but he would also be a great fit for the culture in Buffalo.

In his phone call with the Bills directly after being drafted, he demanded that they give him the playbook on the plane that would be flying him to Buffalo. He repeatedly said, “Put the playbook on the plane!” Well, he got his wish and was able to check out the playbook and get a jump start on his preparations.

His first night in Buffalo, he made an appearance at the Buffalo Sabres’ last game of the season with Josh Allen and Dawson Knox. During the game he got an announcement and a standing ovation from the Buffalo fans which was incredible to see. In just a few days time Elam is already embracing the Buffalo culture and atmosphere. Next, Bills fans will have to show him where he can get the best wings in the country. Although Josh Allen has probably already guided him in the right direction (Bar-Bill Tavern).

This city is already showing Elam lots of love and he will quickly see why Bills fans are the best fans in the country.