Less than 24 hours after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills, cornerback Kaiir Elam touched down in his new home with his family to tour the Bills facility, meet with his new coaches and talk to the media. The day didn't feel entirely new though because Elam visited Buffalo a couple weeks prior as one of his top-30 visits.
After that visit, the cornerback realized Buffalo might be the right fit for him.
"I just felt something special," Elam said after his first visit. "As soon as I got off the plane there was something special about Buffalo that I could envision myself playing here and making a lot of plays. That's something I'm going to strive to do, and I think everything happens for a reason and it's God's plan for me to be here. I'm trying to take my talent and run with it."
Now that he's officially a Buffalo Bill, the former University of Florida product is ready to get to work.
"I believe I'm prepared, but I also believe I have to keep working," Elam said. "You're only as good as your last performance. I don't believe in my past performance. I try to put my best foot forward and that's something I'm still learning, to put my best foot forward every time I step on that field."
Even though Elam has yet to play a snap in the NFL, he has already learned a lot about the next level from his father, Abram, who played in the NFL for six seasons and his uncle, Matt, who was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
"My dad and my uncle were really essential in my life," Elam explained. "They are a big part of the reason why I'm sitting in front of you today – being able to learn from their mistakes, and learning things they didn't know at my age, I think just helped me in this process so much, and throughout life and becoming a man. So I would just like to credit those guys and give them their flowers because without them, without my mom, without my family members, I probably wouldn't sitting in front of you right now."
Elam also couldn't do his visit without his family in attendance. Elam's father (Abram), mother (Shayla) and younger brother (Aydan) got to experience first-hand why Elam felt like Buffalo could be a good home.
"It's definitely an experience, just seeing him from a child to where he is now as a young man and being able to see him do the things that he's worked so hard to accomplish," said his mother. "It's just totally overwhelming right now. I really can't explain it, but he's so blessed. And to be in a community like this and an organization that really cares about people and their players is definitely a blessing."
Elam's mother and father have been with him every step of the way. But before Elam was all in on football, his parents wanted to make sure he didn't feel the pressure of following in his dad or uncle's footsteps.
"This is his moment," Elam's father said. "He took advantage of every opportunity and made the most of it. This isn't about me. This is him. As a father, this is what you always dream of, your son having more or better than what you set out to do. I'm just blessed. He took the tutelage, he took the plan, and he's executed. We always have a saying in the family, they call me the blueprint, but I see him and Matt (Elam) and they took the plans and they enhanced it."
Scroll through to see the photos of the Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam's first day in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Buffalo Bills first round draft pick, Kaiir Elam, arrives for his first day in Buffalo on April 29, 2022. Photo by Ben Green
Abram, Elam's father, was a safety for the Cowboys, Jets, Browns and Chiefs from 2006 to 2012. Elam's uncle, Matt Elam, was a safety for Baltimore for three seasons.
When helping Elam prepare for this moment, Abram wanted to make sure that his son was equipped with the skillset needed to flourish in the NFL.
"I just think about the things that were my limitations, those were the things that I focused on with him," Abram said. "Playing the ball, that's why he has good ball skills. I always dreamed of being a corner. I always told him, `I'm going to train you like a corner. If they ever move you to safety, you'll be a safety with corner skills.'
"So he took it and he's ran with it. He's like a sponge. He wants to know. I think it's going to be great being in the room with Tre'Davious (White), Micah (Hyde), (Jordan) Poyer. I told him, `If they say something and you follow it because those guys have done well in this league.'"
The Florida product has already been taking notes on White and is eager to learn from the All-Pro once OTAs begin.
"I've been trying to pick his brain and learn as much as I can about the league," Elam said of White. "But now I'm trying to learn as much as I can about being a player and about Buffalo. I'm going to try to build that bond in our relationship and just learn as much as I can from him."
Elam is also excited to go up against players like Stefon Diggs who will push him to become a better athlete. At the end of the day, the corner wants to do whatever it takes to help his new team achieve their biggest goals.
"That's my biggest thing, I just want to help this team win," Elam shared. "The ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl. That's my mindset right now. The only way I really feel I can help this team is by doing the little things right consistently. That's something I'm going to strive to do."
The first rounder said he slept like a "baby" after being drafted by Buffalo and feels a sense of peace now that he and his family have found their new home.
"I felt relieved when I got off the plane," Elam explained. "I felt at home. And I really believe that it's something special is gonna happen here."
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Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam (5) intercepts the ball from Virginia wide receiver Hasise Dubois (8) during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida won 36-28. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Florida defensive back Kaiir Elam poses for a portrait during the NFL Football Scouting Combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) rushes a play as Samford's Chandler Smith tries to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) runs against Notre Dame linebacker Drew White (40) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) hurdles players as he carries the ball against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct 9, 2021 in Auburn, Al. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia running back James Cook runs for a touchdown against Michigan during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Georgia running back James Cook scores against Michigan during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Georgia running back James Cook runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia running back James Cook (4) is tackled by Florida safety Rashad Torrence II (22) and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, rear, after rushing for yardage during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard celebrates with the championship trophy after the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Baylor beat Oklahoma State 21-16. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (26) returns an interception against TCU during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas. Baylor won 29-23 in triple overtime. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) sacks Mississippi quarterback Luke Altmyer (7) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) sacks Mississippi quarterback Luke Altmyer (7) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) grabs the ball for a one handed reception in front of UTEP safety Ty'reke James (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) catches the ball in front of BYU defensive back Chris Wilcox (32) during the second half in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Boise, Idaho.BYU won 51-17. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) pulls in a catch over Hawaii defensive back Cortez Davis (18) and goes on to score during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Portland State safety Anthony Adams (14) looks back to break up a reception by Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 45-10. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) runs with the ball against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. Oklahoma State won 21-20. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego State kicker Matt Araiza (01) warms up at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
FILE - Place kicker Matt Araiza (2) makes a field goal against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Honolulu. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
FILE - San Diego State's Matt Araiza (2) celebrates his field goal against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
San Diego State place kicker Matt Araiza (2) and and holder Tanner Kuljian (13) follow the flight of a field goal in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Boulder, Colo. Colorado won 20-10. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego State placekicker Matt Araiza (2) has a kick deflected for a Utah State touchback in the second half during an NCAA college football game for the Mountain West Conference Championship, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
San Diego State kicker Matt Araiza (01) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) looks to elude Villanova defensive back Christian Benford (41) during an NCAA college football game against Villanova in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.25, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Pittsburgh place kicker Alex Kessman (97), center, hits a field goal as Virginia Tech's Luke Tenuta (69) leaps in an effort to block it during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Syracuse receiver Sharod Johnson (19) is tackled by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (34) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
West linebacker Baylon Spector, of Clemson, (10) in coverage against the East during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is tackled by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector, left, and defensive back William Poole during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri).
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is sacked by Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) celebrates after recovering a Notre Dame fumble in the end zone during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) tackles Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
