RD 1, Pick 23: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, Rigotz said:

If, hypothetically Beane was right, and the Cowboys were going to take Elam…. holy crap what an amazing call.

 

Elam was the best corner available and Booth clearly didn’t pass medical evals.

 

For those not worried about Booth’s sports hernia surgery, it’s the same surgery that kept Kolby Listenbee from ever playing a snap with the Bills after they drafted him. 

 

Gordon was my "what I expect the Bills do to" pick. And Elam was my "what I'll live with" pick...

 

But in interviews that I caught yesterday, Kyler Gordon gave off stoner vibes. His demeanor made my question his fit. 

 

With Booth, there was also the uncertainty of not knowing how fast he really is. But the injury concern may be the entire reason why Beane had Elam over him.

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, Doc said:

 

Seems like a waste of hats.

 

NFL Accounting department in shambles trying to figure out how to cover $1000 worth of material.

[MrEpsYtown]

I was his looking at his dad's Abram Elam's, who was a Bill Parcells guy, wikipedia and this is crazy and sad: 

 

"Since 1987, three of Elam's siblings were shot to death. His older brother, Donald Runner, was fatally shot in 1987. His sister Christina, was killed in 1999. On May 9, 2008, his older brother Donald Elam was fatally shot; at age 14, Donald was once the youngest person ever indicted for murder in Palm Beach County, though he was later acquitted. On December 1, 2011, Abram's father died, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones let Abram use his private plane to go to Florida to be with his family. His younger brother, Matt Elam played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.

His son, Kaiir Elam, played defensive back for the University of Florida and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft."

 

Matt Elam also got in some trouble with the law. Not saying anything about Kaiir, but he is coming from a pretty complicated situation. From everything that people are saying he seems like a tremendous fit for the culture here. 

[Doc]

13 minutes ago, simpleman said:

I was hoping for Hall with an early 2nd  round trade up, but Beane flinched, panicked, and made a goofy trade up in the 1st that wasted his trade ammo to be able to grab Hall in the early 2nd. Not upset with the player selection, or their potential in the 1st, just the knee jerk panicked move by Beane. 

 

That's simple, man.  The 4th round pick would have only allowed Beane to move up 4 spots (to 53), at best.  Hall will likely be gone well before then.  Hell even trading their 2nd and 3rd rounders would only get them to 43, which is still probably not high enough.

Edited April 29, 2022 by Doc

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

Seems like a waste of hats.

 

Yeah, but how did his little cousin sitting to his right at the draft party get the Bills winter hat???

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

Probably would've been a small reach to take him at 25, but it's our biggest position of need so I would've been fine with it. 

 

The trade up feels wasteful (what are the odds DAL wanted to draft him?). At least it was only a 4th round pick 

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

Yeah, but how did his little cousin sitting to his right at the draft party get the Bills winter hat???

 

They might get all 32 teams' hats, but I'm sure they get extra swag during team visits.

 

2 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

Probably would've been a small reach to take him at 25, but it's our biggest position of need so I would've been fine with it. 

 

The trade up feels wasteful (what are the odds DAL wanted to draft him?). At least it was only a 4th round pick 

 

Bingo.  Not worth it to find out someone wanted to trade into the 23rd (or 24th) slot and take him, or the Cowboys wanted him (as it appeared they did).  Again don't think that Beane doesn't know what's going on out there.

Edited April 29, 2022 by Doc

[billrooter]

11 hours ago, Virgil said:

I don't understand why we had to jump in front of Dallas for him.  I don't like losing a 4th in this deep draft.  

 

I'll trust the quality and value, just don't like trading up

I could see them packaging picks we have left to much be backup if the really like someone in the 4th or earlier if they like someone, ot.sure points wise they might have to throw in a pick from next year. How many rookies actually make this roster, this is a stacked roster?

[MrEpsYtown]

The Cowboys connection is that Abram Elam played for them. They had him twice in his career and he is Bill Parcells guy. On wikipedia it says that Jerry Jones let him use the team's private plane to get to his father's funeral. So maybe they didn't want Kaiir, but there is a strong connection there with the Cowboys as Jerry has a relationship with dad. If Beane had any inkling they would take him, or anyone would trade up to grab him, then the trade is a no brainer. 

 

I was thinking a mini trade up for a guy they were targeting, but I was not thinking ElAm. I think there was someone on here saying that there was ZERO chance the Bills would trade up. I wonder where that guy is today. 

[BillsFanSD]

2 hours ago, nucci said:

it wasn't for no reason. He did it to move up 2 spots to get the guy he wanted. A 4th round pick is not that big a deal

This GM has an excellent track record of drafting high-quality players in or around the 4th round.  That pick was a big deal if it meant missing out on the next Taron Johnson.  

[Rochesterfan]

37 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

 

I wondered that. Do you think those at home are given 32 caps - just in case?

 

The camera crews bring in the assortment of hats as part of the coverage.  
 

When they get the call - that is all part of the ceremony - he takes the call and the crew gets the hat ready and to the player to start filming.

 

They do not always have every team - they get an assortment based upon where and who the NFL believes will be drafting the player.  If they are wrong - they just edit that part out if needed, but they have boxes of swag stuff like that as part of the process.

 

 

[ddaryl]

2 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

Probably would've been a small reach to take him at 25, but it's our biggest position of need so I would've been fine with it. 

 

The trade up feels wasteful (what are the odds DAL wanted to draft him?). At least it was only a 4th round pick 

 

 

Every team knows the Bills would be looking hard at CBs and you have to assume some teams would be willing to jump in front of Buffalo to grab the last CB with a 1st rd grade. 

Bills were calling teams starting at pick #20 from what i understand, before they found their partner at #23. If they sat back and watch another team trade with Dallas they would of probably regretted it. So they made the move to get a guy they had ranked as a 1st rd talent at a position where teams were gobbling up the position.

It would be nice to still have the 4th, but not sure it would of been worth it as our need for a solid CB#2 was well known need.



 

[Doc]

4 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

The camera crews bring in the assortment of hats as part of the coverage.  
 

When they get the call - that is all part of the ceremony - he takes the call and the crew gets the hat ready and to the player to start filming.

 

They do not always have every team - they get an assortment based upon where and who the NFL believes will be drafting the player.  If they are wrong - they just edit that part out if needed, but they have boxes of swag stuff like that as part of the process.

 

Interesting.  But it seems silly not to have all 32 teams' hats.  You just toss the one to the player and take the other 31 back and sell them later.

[Rochesterfan]

18 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

If, hypothetically Beane was right, and the Cowboys were going to take Elam…. holy crap what an amazing call.

 

Elam was the best corner available and Booth clearly didn’t pass medical evals.

 

For those not worried about Booth’s sports hernia surgery, it’s the same surgery that kept Kolby Listenbee from ever playing a snap with the Bills after they drafted him. 

 

I believe the report came out the Hernia was healing fine, but he had multiple flags on potential knee issues that might effect longevity.

 

I have to believe that pushed him down badly as I thought going into the draft process - he was one of the top 3-5 CBs and a super fit here in Buffalo.

 

Something flagged for the guy that we just have not heard the full details on.

 

 

[Don Otreply]

Just watched a video interview / Q&A  with Elam, he appears to be a smart young man, and has his head on straight, I think he will be a very good addition to our team, 

 

Go Bills!!!

[Peter]

I have to trust Beane on doing what was best under the circumstances. It appears that Kaiir Elam matched both BPA and need and Beane made the move to ensure that Dallas did not pick him (given their history with the family) or trade to another team that wanted to jump ahead of the Bills - who everyone knows are in need of a CB.

 

If Beane had not made the move and some other team took the best CB available, it could have been a disaster watching other teams go after our one glaring weakness on the entire team. We also do not know whether T. White will be fully healthy at the start of the season. Yet, even if he is healthy, we still needed help on the side opposite of him.

[Rochesterfan]

17 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

NFL Accounting department in shambles trying to figure out how to cover $1000 worth of material.

 

Especially since my guess is the hats are comped because the draftees wearing them make fans buy them.

 

I think the extras come back and then are distributed to the teams give to other players that get drafted.  They are not wasted.

 

 

[nucci]

11 minutes ago, BillsFanSD said:

This GM has an excellent track record of drafting high-quality players in or around the 4th round.  That pick was a big deal if it meant missing out on the next Taron Johnson.  

He was more concerned about the 1st round pick than the 4th round

[Rochesterfan]

12 minutes ago, BillsFanSD said:

This GM has an excellent track record of drafting high-quality players in or around the 4th round.  That pick was a big deal if it meant missing out on the next Taron Johnson.  

 

Not if it meant missing out on Elam.

 

🤦‍♂️

[machine gun kelly]

1 hour ago, CountDorkula said:

This is what I dont geat about this draft "Not a lot of good 1st rd talent and Loaded in 3rd 4th rds" do not seem to fit together.

 

Trade up again if you have to.

 

I'm still all aboard the Hall train, get a game breaking RB.

1, 2, 3. 3.  Love that Sesame Street bit.

 

Im with you if Hall or another stud is there.  

[HappyDays]

8 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

And they were on the road at no fault of their defense.........it was as a result of their season-long struggles on the OL and a lack of YAC talent during the regular season.

 

The OL was mostly fine after Bates got inserted. Bates plus Saffold is a huge improvement on what the Bills fielded at guard earlier in the season. They added Quessenberry to make sure Spencer Brown isn't handed the job.

 

YAC receivers are found on day two of the draft every year. I still expect the Bills to get one.

 

8 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

I agree that pass rush was a huge need and Von Miller can tangibly make a difference.   Mahomes was just LETHAL in that game scrambling and buying time.

 

Can Kaiir Elam do anything about what happened in the Chiefs game?   Probably not.   He'd have been in the same spots in "13 seconds".    And no he isn't catching Tyreek Hill in a foot race.

 

I said elsewhere that if you add Von Miller to our team last year we likely win the Chiefs game, and if you add Kaiir Elam we likely win the Bucs game. Those were the two most glaring holes on the team.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Fans can never understand teams don’t follow internet draft boards, they create their own. The Bills obviously felt Elam was a much better prospect than other CBs still available. That’s why they traded up. 
 

We’ll grade the move in a few years. 

[FilthyBeast]

My pro's and con's of this pick, and some quite frankly fit into both categories

 

Pros:

- Position of biggest need on team

- High upside potential

- Speed factor

- NFL pedigree being former player's son

-McD/Frazier seem to get most of position even with UDFA's like Wallace

 

Cons:

- Seems like another Edmunds type of player which is worrisome for many reasons

- Beane doesn't have great track record with most draft picks on the defensive side

- Does seem like Beane scrambled after KC made their move and this became a need pick vs BPA pick

- Gave up 4th round pick to move ahead of one team

 

In the end way too early to know what Elam will amount to in the NFL but still think we need to sign a veteran DB ASAP.

[Jauronimo]

11 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

What does this mean

It means that 15 years ago the Buffalo Bills selected Donte Whitner and Leodis McKelvin and these two draft picks ended our run of glory and ruined the franchise for a decade.  Therefore, selecting first round defensive backs is always a terrible idea.  That is the average Bills fan's understanding of football. 

 

Don't draft first round OL. Remember Mike Williams?!?!

[4merper4mer]

6 hours ago, FilthyBeast said:

My pro's and con's of this pick, and some quite frankly fit into both categories

 

Pros:

- Position of biggest need on team

- High upside potential

- Speed factor

- NFL pedigree being former player's son

-McD/Frazier seem to get most of position even with UDFA's like Wallace

 

Cons:

- Seems like another Edmunds type of player which is worrisome for many reasons

- Beane doesn't have great track record with most draft picks on the defensive side

- Does seem like Beane scrambled after KC made their move and this became a need pick vs BPA pick

- Gave up 4th round pick to move ahead of one team

 

In the end way too early to know what Elam will amount to in the NFL but still think we need to sign a veteran DB ASAP.

Bashing Edmunds is unique and tying it to Elam is an interesting new twist.  If we draft a punter in the 6th let’s see how you do blaming Edmunds for that one too.

Edited April 29, 2022 by 4merper4mer

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, FilthyBeast said:

My pro's and con's of this pick, and some quite frankly fit into both categories

 

Pros:

- Position of biggest need on team

- High upside potential

- Speed factor

- NFL pedigree being former player's son

-McD/Frazier seem to get most of position even with UDFA's like Wallace

 

Cons:

- Seems like another Edmunds type of player which is worrisome for many reasons

- Beane doesn't have great track record with most draft picks on the defensive side

- Does seem like Beane scrambled after KC made their move and this became a need pick vs BPA pick

- Gave up 4th round pick to move ahead of one team

 

In the end way too early to know what Elam will amount to in the NFL but still think we need to sign a veteran DB ASAP.

 

If there's any position they know, it's CB.  They get the BOTD here.  As for scrambling, that's what the Chefs did and considering Elam was the last CB on their board with a 1st round grade, it made sense to trade up to ensure they got him.

[Jauronimo]

2 hours ago, HOUSE said:

I will choke the next guy who says Elam is "long"

 

Geeez.......long???

 

 

Oh boy, here it comes.  Another diatribe from HOUSE about the importance of girth....

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

It’s a different league from 2001… and the Patriots also knew every play they were running.😅

 

That being said, I can’t hate a corner with the pick…. But the asset allocation of offense vs defense for this team is incredibly in favor of the defense… hopefully these next two rounds they help out Allen…

Im all for getting Allen more help too, just saying this notion that the defenses can’t stop elite QBs and offenses no matter what is just not accurate at all.  

[ExWNYer]

3 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Not if it meant missing out on Elam.

 

🤦‍♂️

 

And for God's sake, can somebody at OBD PLEASE tell Sal Capaccio how to pronounce this kid's name?? It's 'KAI-EAR  E-LUM'.  Sal has been butchering it non-stop since yesterday, calling him 'E-LOM' (as in llama) with emphasis on 'LOM'. During his Zoom presser last night, Elam was asked by a reporter how he pronounced his name so they could get it right going forward and he clearly explained that it was 'KAI-EAR  E-LUM'. Sal was on that Zoom and even asked him a question yet he's still pronouncing it like it's his first time hearing about this guy. You're the team's sideline reporter, Sal. Try harder...'Better Call (out) Sal'.

[LeGOATski]

2 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

5'10" 185 pound Leodis McKelvin?

 

Elam reminds me more of Patrick Peterson than Leodis McKelvin.

That's why I said "his play" not his looks. I didn't mean it in a bad way.

[Rocket94]

13 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

If there's any position they know, it's CB.  They get the BOTD here.  As for scrambling, that's what the Chefs did and considering Elam was the last CB on their board with a 1st round grade, it made sense to trade up to ensure they got him.

Elam was a great pick. There really was no other choice. The backfield was becoming dangerously exposed.

[newcam2012]

2 hours ago, simpleman said:

I was hoping for Hall with an early 2nd  round trade up, but Beane flinched, panicked, and made a goofy trade up in the 1st that wasted his trade ammo to be able to grab Hall in the early 2nd. Not upset with the player selection, or their potential in the 1st, just the knee jerk panicked move by Beane. 

It's really hard to know if Beane errored in that situation. Was there a real possibility that same other team may have tried to "jump" the Bills and get Elam? We just don't know that answer. With that said, I don't think you can say with conviction and fact that Beane panicked. For me its risk vs reward. I'm fine with giving up the 4th rounder if Elam was by far the BPA on their board. Added bonus is it filled the Bills biggest need! Its really a win win. 

 

Lastly, there is no guarantee the Bill could get Hall even if with theor 4th rounder in hand. Sure makes it easy but still lots of unknowns and other variables in play. I suspect if Beane really wants Hall he will be aggressive to try to get him. Its still not out of the question. 

Edited April 29, 2022 by newcam2012

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, Rocket94 said:

Elam was a great pick. There really was no other choice. The backfield was becoming dangerously exposed.

 

Yup.  Their #1 is still recovering and they lost their #2 in FA.

[Rocket94]

Just now, Doc said:

 

Yup.  Their #1 is still recovering and they lost their #2 in FA.

Yes...plus dangerous new receivers in the division. They will be coming at us.

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

It's really hard to know if Beane errored in that situation. Was there a real possibility that same other team may have tried to "jump" the Bills and get Elam? We just don't k ow that answer. With that said, I don't think you can say with conviction and fact that Beane panicked. For me its risk vs reward. I'm fine with giving up the 4th rounder of Elam was by far the BPA on their board. Added bonus is it filled the Bills biggest need! Its really a win win. 

 

Lastly, there is no guarantee the Bill could get Hall even if with theor 4th rounder in hand. Sure makes it easy but still lots of unknowns and other variables in play. I suspect if Beane really wants Hall he will be aggressive to try to get him. Its still not out of the question. 

 

Again, the Bills' 2nd plus their 4th doesn't get them nearly close enough to get Hall.  Even their 2nd and 3rd.  All three...maybe, but that's 3 picks on a RB.

[Rocket94]

 The Bills still need more DB's and a LB with speed.

[Don Otreply]

35 minutes ago, BillsFanSD said:

This GM has an excellent track record of drafting high-quality players in or around the 4th round.  That pick was a big deal if it meant missing out on the next Taron Johnson.  

Wouldn’t one think as a point of skill, and positional need, that a first round pick is a magnitude higher than a fourth round pick? This noise about a fourth round pick’s value being insinuated at a higher value than a first round pick / acquisition that filled a giant hole in our roster with a quality CB is preposterous, just stop already, be f ing happy we don’t have a giant hole in our starting line up anymore, context and priorities are important factors…, 

 

nuthin but love, 

 

Go Bills!!!

[NewEra]

Immediately after the draft-

 

- I was upset that they passed on 3 corners I had rated higher than him.  

 

- I didn’t understand why they drafted a corner that excels in press man.

 

- I didn’t understand why they drafted the worst tackling corner of the 3 available.  
 

- I HATED the fact that they traded our best trade up chip to move up several spots in rd 2-3 so we can move ahead of one team in rd 1…..while there were better corners available.  

 

Slept, woke up-  new rationale 

 

-  Elam has the measurable they covet and whether or not I had him as the best corner available, Elam was the last 1st rd talent available on their board.  McB > Me

 

- I’m happy that we drafted a corner than excels in man.  Levi had a solid season but his inability to run with the faster WRs limited our play calling and his lack of speed eventually led to our season ending.   I’ve been hoping that they would switch things up more often and play more man.  I think this will lead to exactly that.  He’s very good in coverage but susceptible to getting beat deep…. something that McDs defense are usually not susceptible to.  Our safeties will help him over the top. 
 

- still not a fan of his tackling, but he’s physically strong and our coaches will coach him up.  He’ll get better.  We have the proper support system for him.  
 

- still mad that they traded the pick because I don’t think Dallas would’ve taken him….. but they got their guy.  He was obviously their only guy or they wouldn’t have traded up for him.  I’m glad they got their guy.  Now he’s my guy too!

 

LETS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Bob in STL]

Elam was a necessary pick, especially if he was the only first round grade left on the Bills chart.   Either you trade up and get him, or you trade down and stockpile. 

 

The Bills have a lot of talent, not many rookies will make the team, and good talent will be exposed on the PS.   That is why Beane traded a 4th to get Elam.  Normally trading #130 to move from 25 to 23 is not ideal - but looking at the situation it was the right move. 

 

Elam and Tre will be a very good tandem.  

 

 

Edited April 29, 2022 by Bob in STL

[YoloinOhio]