RD 1, Pick 23: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

[Roundybout]

Beane really watched Levi running 10 yards behind Tyreek last season and hit the "upgrade speed" button.

[BuffaloRebound]

Once again, the fact that no CB’s were taken after Elam validates Beane’s itchy trigger.  

[Buffalo Ballin]

So the people who said to take corner with our first pick, please stand up. Salute to y'all. It's a great move. I predicted this too and got attacked here for that from some idiot who wanted WR with our first pick.

 

We get the last laugh. Defense is a need; a big one. We can always take WR/RB later in the draft even though we traded away our 4th round pick.

 

Remember 13 seconds?

[Malazan]

1 minute ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

C'mon now.

 

It's unusual for a 4th rounder to not make a roster.......ANY roster......it's a valuable pick.

 

See Gabe Davis and Taron Johnson.......only 4th round picks they've made under Beane.

 

It doesn't make the draft a disaster but in the decade of drafts prior to this one....... the Bills have traded away A LOT of their 4th round picks..........but when they used them more often than not they drafted starters like Gabe and Taron and Nigel Bradham and D'Norris (the finkasaurus) Searcy.   Plus that LSU corner Ron Brooks,  who was quite a good player for them.

 

Right?! Beane can't be trusted to use a 4th round pick to move up because BEANE makes great 4th round draft picks. 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[purple haze]

1 hour ago, dneveu said:

Clearly they had him a head above the rest as they felt they needed to jump dallas.

Or a team that might have traded into Dallas’ slot.

[Doc Brown]

It was rumored after the draft last year that Eric Stokes was going to be the pick but he went at 29 to the Packers.  Maybe Beane didn't want to see something similar happen again.  Just throwing it out there.

[ndirish1978]

YOU DRAFT STARTERS in the first 2 rounds. Hitting on a pick in the 4th who comes in and is an immediate contributor in a SB window is such a small chance statistically. Who is the 4th rounder displacing? We moved up to secure a presumed CB2 and solidified the secondary. Our 4th rounder is LATE, I cannot believe the complete mental breakdowns here by grown men over a 4th rounder. You want to recoup a 4th rounder, trade a 6th and Cody Ford. Some of you need to settle down. I have complete faith in McDermott's ability to turn this kid into a stud. 

[Mr. WEO]

3 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

Mel also nailed the Josh Allen pick in 2018...when nearly everyone was saying that Josh Rosen was the better prospect. 

 

If some think the complaining about this pick and giving up a 4th is bad. Go back and look at that 2018 Josh Allen thread. The bleating was biblical. 

 

To be fair though, missing on a fairly late 1st round DB isn't as catastrophic as missing on a top 10 QB for the fate of a franchise

[78thealltimegreat]

9 minutes ago, Bruffalo said:

I know what you're trying to say, but re-read that sentence and tell me it makes sense.

 

Beane used the 2020 first round pick to get Diggs, so you're objectively wrong about that. Green Bay hasn't hit really on any WR draft picks, we have with Davis. We've signed decent FA depth historically as well, while Green Bay has certainly had more trouble than this.

 

It sounds like to me that you're having a tantrum instead of thinking about this logically.

 

 

My mistake he’s using the Carolina Panthers model with Can Newton 

[klos63]

1 hour ago, BillsMafi$ said:

Didn’t have to trade up 

So why do you think Beane did it? Just to get posts on TBD?

[thewookie1]

Based on his interviews he probably couldn't of made him more attractive to McBeane if started yelling "Process" when he walked in the door.

 

He sounds like a guy who has a bit of tweaking needed but a ton of raw attributes and a good head on his shoulders. While the trade up might of been a tad drastic; I'll take getting the guy I want over getting conservative and missing out. The likelihood of pick 25 + our 4th being more valuable to this team than Elam is rather slim.

 

For all we know someone tried to trade up with Baltimore with a 26 or 27 and their 5th and the Bills merely upped it enough to win.  

[Warriorspikes51]

14 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

Didn't he have like the 2nd lowest Passer rating or completion percentage against him?

Yes 55 passer rating against. Locked down Jameson Williams too

[ExWNYer]

1 minute ago, muppy said:

let me put a PS:

 

If MY kid were drafted in the first round by ANY team I doubt my first or even 2nd reaction would be regret over for he not playing for my ex team.

 

Dad is surely going to be outfitted in BILLS colors and it will be with total pleasure and pride very very soon!~!~!!!!!

 

Also, did you see the house of packed people when he was on the phone with the Bills? When they announced the pick and he donned the team lid, the place erupted. Everyone jumping up and down and hugging in sheer joy. That's half the fun of the draft for me...watching these young men and their families experience a phenomenal life-altering event they'll remember and share forever.

[Warcodered]

 

[BillsFan4]

Really intrigued by this pick. He adds an element the defense didn’t have. He can press big receivers or TE’s at the line and cover speedy receivers.

 

Im hoping we may see some changes to the defensive philosophy to take advantage of Elam’s excellent press man abilities.

[Big Turk]

Beane said he was the last player with a first round grade on their board...not sure how Jermaine Johnson wouldn't have had a first round grade but perhaps they were not looking at DE

[Scorp83]

1 hour ago, Iverwig said:

Wow! I figured the Bills would draft a CB but surprised they traded up for one. Dallas wasn’t taking a CB but maybe Beane got word of another team trading up. 

Not just that The cowboys were the team that screwed us last year…they took Diggs right from under us…Beane wasn’t letting that happen to us again. He showed the world that Elam was high in his board tonight 

[Roundybout]

Just now, ExWNYer said:

 

Also, did you see the house of packed people when he was on the phone with the Bills? When they announced the pick and he donned the team lid, the place erupted. Everyone jumping up and down and hugging in sheer joy. That's half the fun of the draft for me...watching these young men and their families experience a phenomenal life-altering event they'll remember and share forever.

 

Did you see that one Texans pick? Dude looked like he just found out his dog got run over by a truck lmao

[BruceVilanch]

The best news about this is he's 20 years old! and we will get to talk about how young he is for the next 4-5 years!!

[MJS]

So happy we didn't draft a shrimp corner or a RB in the first round. And we added speed in the secondary. Perfect.

[White Linen]

6 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Once again, the fact that no CB’s were taken after Elam validates Beane’s itchy trigger.  

 

Pick 31 wasn't a CB?

[muppy]

2 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

Also, did you see the house of packed people when he was on the phone with the Bills? When they announced the pick and he donned the team lid, the place erupted. Everyone jumping up and down and hugging in sheer joy. That's half the fun of the draft for me...watching these young men and their families experience a phenomenal life-altering event they'll remember and share forever.

haha awesome NO I didn't I was typing and reading here but I will. I have 3 networks coverage taped on my DVR 🙂

[Doc]

Glad to see the Bills went for need and BPA (corroborated by Beane) with their 1st round pick, and I trust them when it comes to CBs.  I liked Elam's size and speed among the CB prospects, as it is what has been lacking in the secondary.  I didn't know he allowed the 2nd lowest QB rating in FBS the past 3 seasons and that's a pleasant surprise.  He also seems to want to work to get better immediately.  You can't teach those things, and they should be able to make him better.

 

As for the trade up, don't be so sure that Beane didn't know that Dallas, or another team, wasn't looking to trade into the 23rd or 24th spot for him.  But even still, who cares?  It's a 4th rounder.  The Chefs traded more for a slot-at-best CB.  If there's someone they desperately want in the 4th, trade next year's 3rd by all means. 

[MAJBobby]

5 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

For those that want to. Attached is Tre White RAS. Now think what Tre would be with Elams athletic profile. 

[jkeerie]

1 hour ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

They weren’t drafting corner they wanted a defensive end or tackle looks like I was correct 

Um...think this through.  There is a tiny flaw in your logic.

[ExWNYer]

Just now, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

Did you see that one Texans pick? Dude looked like he just found out his dog got run over by a truck lmao

 

Stingley? My first thought when they showed him was, "How many Bills fans are going to say, 'He didn't smile...he's Stephon Gilmore 2.0'..."

[Airseven]

Since when do 4th round picks not make the roster? It’s a lot to give up for a player like Elam who will need time to develop. I can’t imagine he starts this season. Right now he looks like a walking PI in the pros. Grabs, holds, guesses. Nevermind his tackling issues.  Fills a need and he was likely one of their last first round grades. Not a bad pick but the critiques of the player and trade are valid.

[MasterStrategist]

Just now, White Linen said:

 

Pick 31 wasn't a CB?

Dalton can play multiple, but likely going to be a safety with Bates in Cincy

[Mr. WEO]

2 minutes ago, BruceVilanch said:

The best news about this is he's 20 years old! and we will get to talk about how young he is for the next 4-5 years!!

 

So he's older than Edmunds?

[Bruffalo]

13 minutes ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

My mistake he’s using the Carolina Panthers model with Can Newton 

Ah yeah, the great Can Newton.

 

You know they went to a superbowl right? You could do a lot worse than that run of years Carolina had when he was at his peak. That's really not the insult you're trying to make it out to be. Allen has a much better throwing motion too so the window is just going to be open longer. 

 

Full disclosure, I wanted a WR too, but I don't want them to reach for one.  There was no WR left on that board that had a 1st round consensus.  It's just a fact.  The IOL was gone. Going RB is just bad business. CB2 is a logical and good place for them to invest in, and now we have a cost controlled asset opposite White for the next five years.

 

I really don't understand your logic here. Who was on the board that was the obvious pick over Elam, or even CB?

Edited April 29, 2022 by Bruffalo
Brain farts.

[HappyDays]

 

1) Football character

2) Length

3) Skill set built for zone

4) Athletic upside

 

He checks all the boxes.

[Roundybout]

1 minute ago, ExWNYer said:

 

Stingley? My first thought when they showed him was, "How many Bills fans are going to say, 'He didn't smile...he's Stephon Gilmore 2.0'..."

 

No, Kenyon Greene. Their 15th overall

[Big Blitz]

In the SEC

 

 

[purple haze]

1 hour ago, BillsFan130 said:

Why did they trade a 4th round pick for 2 spots to pick Elam?...

 

I think he definitely would have been there at 25

Key word is think.   No reason to risk losing their guy  over a 4th round pick that will have a hard time making this roster.  

Forget the picks and focus on how the player fits the scheme/culture.  If you’re tied to keeping every pick I have feeling  you won’t be happy tomorrow either. 

[ExWNYer]

1 minute ago, muppy said:

haha awesome NO I didn't I was typing and reading here but I will. I have 3 networks coverage taped on my DVR 🙂

 

I also DVR'd all three networks when they were on the clock but haven't watched them back yet. I saw his presser on the Bills FaceBook Live feed.

[White Linen]

1 minute ago, MasterStrategist said:

Dalton can play multiple, but likely going to be a safety with Bates in Cincy

 

Then perhaps we should wait until that happens before we say it's a fact no CB was taken after Elam.

[buffaloboyinATL]

For all we know, Beane just drafted the next Tre White, to play across the last Tre White, and some of you fools are acting like you know what we need, better than he does. Hush. 

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

He will be better than Gardner 

 

 

You also thought Dwayne Haskins(RIP) was going to be better than Josh Allen.

 

Elam is a nice prospect but that take certainly warrants an "IMO" attached.

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

No, Kenyon Greene. Their 15th overall

Stingley has not even put together a full body of work since his freshman year. We will see how he works out.