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WATCH: Kaiir Elam makes pivotal pass breakup in Bills-Dolphins Wild Card matchup

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•01/15/23
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(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Former Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam has had an excellent rookie season for the Buffalo Bills. On Sunday afternoon, he made the biggest play yet of his young NFL career. On 4th and 6 late in the fourth quarter, Elam made a diving deflection as Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson tried to connect with his tight end, Mike Gesicki.

Elam made a diving effort to knock the ball to the ground, and unfortunately, he was injured on the play. Apparently, the injury ended up being a leg cramp.

Check out the game-clinching play.

Elam’s deflection ended up winning the game for the Buffalo Bills, in a back-and-forth classic that likely made Buffalo fans nervous at several points throughout the contest. Ultimately, Buffalo won the game 34-31, but the victory did not come easy. There’s no question that Bills’ fans won’t forget Elam’s performance on Sunday. It was crucial in helping them pull out the Wild Card victory.

Not only did he having the game-clinching pass breakup, but Elam also snatched an interception and had two pass deflections. The Bills’ rookie only allowed one reception for two yards on five targets, per Next Gen Stats. He’s one of the best young cover corners in the National Football League. Simply put, he’s been the type of player that the Buffalo Bills expected him to be coming out of Florida.

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During his rookie year, he racked up 41 tackles and two interceptions for the Buffalo Bills. Elam also flashed the elite instincts that truly make a great cover corner. He was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 23 overall selection.

During his time with the Florida Gators, Elam established himself as one of the nation’s elite cover corners. He was named first team All-SEC during the 2020 season, after he finished with 39 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. As a freshman in 2019, Elam appeared in 13 games and made five starts.