3 defensive talents Patriots can target with No. 21 pick in 2022 NFL Draft

Elam is one member of what is becoming a very chaotic second tier of cornerbacks in this class. The draft positions of himself, Washington’s Trent McDuffie, Auburn’s Roger McCreary, and Georgia’s Derion Kendrick seem to change every day. Elam could make sense for the Pats due to his physical tools.

He’s 6-2 with long arms and short-area speed, which could help him evolve into a physical corner that owns the line of scrimmage. With six interceptions in three years despite some questionable schemes from Todd Grantham, Elam checks the production box.

Kaiir Elam would be a cornerstone of the Patriots’ secondary.

Elam might not have amazing long speed, and that could be a mark against him in the pros. He needs to play the run a bit better, as some teams might not like the fact that a DB with his size is such a poor tackler and can take bad angles to the ball. Some might even classify him as raw.

JC Jackson might be on the move, meaning that Elam will have a ton on his plate when he enters the league, should it be with the Patriots. Even with the potential uncertainty behind him, Elam’s ball skills and physical gifts make him look everything like an ideal Belichick cornerback.