2022 NFL Mock Draft: Edge Rushers Fly Off The Board, 3 QBs In Round 1
By Evan Bachman
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
With Steven Nelson being a free agent cornerback is a priority for the Eagles this offseason, as they don’t have a viable option opposite Darius Slay. Fortunately for the Eagles, this is a very good cornerback class waiting to be capitalized upon. That’s the direction they go in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Kaiir Elam has ideal traits for a corner as he’s got good movement skills to go along with good size (6-foot-2, 193 pounds). He’s also shown he can cover well against high-level SEC competition, which makes it very encouraging that he can translate in the NFL.
He has had his troubles as a tackler, but at the end of the day for corners, the important thing is how well they can cover, so some bad tackling shouldn’t cause his draft stock to go down.
16. Las Vegas Raiders: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
With the Raiders being in a division with both Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert they need to be strong at cornerback moving forward. Recent draft picks at the position haven’t worked out, from Gareon Conley to Trayvon Mullen to Damon Arnette. It’s about time they get it right, and they get to dive back into the well of Clemson players to do it.
Andrew Booth Jr. is projectable as a corner as he’s got solid size (6-foot-0, 195 pounds), very good length, and good movement skills, not to mention unreal ball skills at the catch point. While Clemson has taken a big step back this season, Booth Jr. is a big part of a defense that is giving up just 16.4 points per game.