Kaiir Elam headlines the group of Florida Gator scouting reports from the top prospects hoping to hear their names called in the 2022 NFL Draft. Elam, a legacy NFL player, is vying to not only hear his name called but be the top cornerback off the board. RB Dameon Pierce wowed at the Senior Bowl while Zachary Carter showcases just how talented this defensive line class is.
Florida 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Here are the full scouting reports for Florida ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Antonio Valentino, DL
Positives: Hard-working, one-gap plugger who gets the most from his ability. Plays with proper pad level, gets leverage on opponents, and holds his ground against blocks. Keeps his feet moving, flashes power, and works his hands throughout the action.
Negatives: Lacks top first-step quickness. Slowed by blocks and must develop more moves with his hands.
Analysis: Valentino is a hard-working defensive line prospect who gets the most from his ability and plays smart football. He lacks great upside but has enough ability to back up on the inside of a four-man line.
Dameon Pierce, RB
Positives: Nice-sized running back who displayed consistent progress in his game. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, possesses outstanding vision, and will pick and choose his way on the inside. Runs hard, rarely tackled by the first defender, and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact.
Waits for blocks to develop, squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line, and consistently runs north/south. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield who adjusts to errant throws and extends his hands to make receptions away from his frame.
Negatives: Was never the feature back at Florida. Lacks the speed and quickness necessary to turn the corner. Plays to one speed and cannot beat defenders into the open field.
Analysis: Though speed-deficient, Pierce possesses solid size and a well-rounded game. He has enough ability to make a roster as a fourth running back.
Want more information on Pierce? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Dameon Pierce, Florida RB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Daquan Newkirk, DL
Positives: Nice-sized defensive tackle who never really lived up to expectations. Plays with proper pad level, keeps his feet moving, and fires off the snap. Displays good change-of-direction skills, chases the action hard, and flashes athleticism. Shows power in his lower body and occasionally bull rushes blockers off the line.
Negatives: Gets rag-dolled in the middle of the line or controlled by a single opponent despite his size. Marginally productive throughout his college career.
Analysis: Newkirk possesses the size, speed, and athleticism to be a defensive tackle in a four-man front. Yet, to date, he’s displayed himself as little more than a gap occupier.
Jean Delance, OT
Positives: Big-bodied college tackle who projects to guard in the NFL. Sets with a wide base, bends his knees, and blocks with a nasty attitude. Fires off the snap, displays strength at the point, and gets movement run blocking. Keeps his feet moving and makes good use of angles in pass protection. Properly places his hands into defenders and easily turns them from the action. Works well with teammates.
Negatives: Lacks blocking range, cannot adjust, and gets exploited by speed rushers. Not quick to the second level and cannot redirect or adjust to hit a moving target.
Analysis: Delance was a solid lineman for Florida and possesses the size, arm length, and strength to line up at guard on Sundays.
Jeremiah Moon, LB
Positives: Disciplined linebacker with nice size. Breaks down well, works his hands to protect himself, and slices through gaps to defend the run. Displays range getting out to the flanks, plays faster than his 40 time, and shows speed in pursuit. Quick to read and diagnose the action, easily changes direction, and possesses an outstanding head for the ball. Tough run defender who works hard to get involved.
Negatives: Has an injury history that must be checked out. Better making plays up the field than in reverse.
Analysis: When healthy and on the field, Moon was a productive linebacker for Florida. He’s a solid two-down linebacker with an excellent head for the position.
Kaiir Elam, CB
Positives: Underrated cornerback with outstanding ball skills. Engages receivers at the line of scrimmage, smoothly transitions off the line, and stays on the opponent’s hip out of breaks. Battles receivers throughout the action, does not back down from a challenge, and stays step for step with opponents all over the field.
Quickly picks up and stays with coverage assignments, plays physical football, and shows an explosive closing burst to the action. Sudden and appears out of nowhere to make plays. Keeps his head on a swivel, shows good recognition, and effectively communicates with teammates in the secondary. Fires upfield to defend the run and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: At times hesitant to react to receivers’ moves off the snap. Had just 1 interception last season and 2 the prior year.
Analysis: Elam is a polished cornerback with terrific ball skills who offers starting potential for the next level. His size, physical nature, and ability to play in a variety of schemes will be very attractive on draft weekend.
Want more information on Elam? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Kaiir Elam, Florida CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Malik Davis, RB
Positives: Quick-footed ball carrier with outstanding vision. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and easily bounces around piles and defenders. Strong for his size, runs with good lean, and keeps his feet moving. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield who extends his hands to snatch the ball out of the air. Effectively helps the quarterback sell ball fakes and squares into defenders as a blocker.
Negatives: Possesses average size and speed for the next level. Was never overly productive at Florida and comes off a slightly disappointing senior season.
Analysis: Davis is a solid back who lacks perimeter speed. Nonetheless, his pass-catching skill and natural quickness could help him catch on as a situational runner.
Stewart Reese, OL
Positives: Massive offensive lineman who is primarily a size prospect. Fires off the snap, blocks with good lean, and easily anchors in pass protection. Explosive, attacks opponents, and opens up holes in the running game. Keeps his head on a swivel and stays square. Large enough to engulf defenders and smother them from the action.
Negatives: Does not sink his butt at the line of scrimmage and gets upright as the play proceeds. Ineffective pulling across the line of scrimmage or blocking in motion. Struggles to adjust and gets exploited by quick or nimble opponents.
Analysis: Reese is a massive interior lineman with the strength necessary to be used in a power-gap system. Still, he must improve his fundamentals and consistently play with leverage.
Tyrone Truesdell, DT
Positives: Explosive first-step lineman who is best in a small area. Fires off the snap, plays with excellent pad level, and consistently gets leverage on opponents. Knocks blockers off the line, easily redirects to ball handlers, and keeps his feet moving.
Negatives: Handled by a single blocker and gets pushed off the line. Rarely makes plays on the ball. Coming off a disappointing senior campaign.
Analysis: Scouts graded Truesdell as a potential late-round pick entering the season, yet he never elevated his game and was not much of a factor in 2021. He’s potentially a one-gap lineman, yet Truesdell must improve every aspect of his game.
Zachary Carter, DT
Positives: Hard-working defensive line prospect with solid size and growth potential. Very quick, bends his knees, and consistently gets leverage on opponents. Immediately gets his hands up and fires them into opponents. Attracts a lot of double-team blocks and gets off the snap with a terrific first step. Fast off the edge, easily moves about the field, and gives great effort. Resilient and stays with the action. Moves well laterally in pursuit of the action.
Negatives: Handled at the point by a single blocker and displays limited strength in his game. Lacks size and can be out-positioned from plays.
Analysis: Carter is a well-rounded defensive line prospect who will only get better as he physically matures and adds bulk as well as strength to his frame. He’s a rotational defensive lineman who can be used in both three- and four-man fronts.
Want more information on Carter? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Zachary Carter, Florida DT | NFL Draft Scouting Report