2022 NFL Draft picks: Florida Gators draft tracker, analysis of selections, history

NFL Draft season has concluded, but there is plenty to learn about where your favorite former Florida Gators will begin their professional careers. OnlyGators.com was with you throughout all three days of the 2022 NFL Draft, tracking where the Gators will begin playing pro football. An unpredictable draft unfolded over the course of seven rounds due in large part to a number of NFL teams not even holding first-round picks and a weak quarterback class that led to a lot of other positions — like wide receiver — being prioritized by teams.

Florida saw three players selected in the draft, the fewest the program has sent to the NFL in a single draft since 2012. However, all three went in the first four rounds with each player expected to command significant playing time perhaps as soon as Week 1 of the upcoming season. Furthermore, UF players represented half of the six total selections from schools in the Sunshine State.

OnlyGators.com provided constant updates throughout all three days of the draft and will continue updating this story with undrafted free agent signings. Hit the refresh button below or on your browser to update the page and see if any additional Gators have joined teams.

Round 1

Round 1 – No. 23
Kaiir Elam, CB
Buffalo Bills

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 191 lbs

Age: 20 | Class: Junior

The Chomp: Elam’s selection makes it seven straight years the Gators have seen a member of their secondary drafted. In that time, 11 such defensive backs were drafted overall. Elam is the fourth first-round pick in that group, joining C.J. Henderson (No. 9, 2021), Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 11, 2016) and Keanu Neal (No. 17, 2016). He’s also the first Gators player picked by the Bills since Vosean Joseph in 2019. Buffalo traded up two picks to select Elam, ironically making a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted his uncle, Matt Elam, in 2013. Kaiir Elam will receive a four-year, $13.7 million contract with a $7.1 million signing bonus.

Round 3

Round 3 – No. 95
Zachary Carter, DT
Cincinnati Bengals

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 282 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt senior

The Chomp: The Bengals have now drafted a Gators player for the second straight year (K Evan McPherson). Florida has also seen a defensive tackle chosen in consecutive drafts. Carter was projected by most to be a Day 3 selection, which means Cincinnati certainly had a high grade on him to select him before the end of the third round. With 13 sacks across the last two seasons, he has the ability to play defensive end or stay inside and rush on nickel packages. Carter will receive a four-year, $5.1 million contract with a $864,000 signing bonus.

Round 4

Round 4 – No. 107
Dameon Pierce, RB
Houston Texans

Height: 5’10” | Weight: 218 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: One of the biggest sleepers in the entire draft, Pierce was underused despite consistent evidence that he would get stronger as games advanced and he wore down defenses with his difficult-to-defend mix of shiftiness and strength. Pierce has the potential to be an every-down NFL rusher. He is the first Gators running back drafted since La’Mical Perine in 2020 and the first Florida player drafted by Houston since that same season. Pierce will receive a four-year, $4.5 million contract with a $815,000 signing bonus.

Undrafted free agents

Undrafted Free Agent
Malik Davis, RB
Dallas Cowboys

Height: 5’10” | Weight: 207 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

Undrafted Free Agent
Jean Delance, OL
Chicago Bears

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 303 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt senior

Undrafted Free Agent
Jeremiah Moon, LB
Baltimore Ravens

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 249 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt senior

Undrafted Free Agent
Tyrone Truesdell, DL
New York Giants

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 326 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt senior

Undrafted Free Agent
Antonio Valentino, DL
New York Giants

Height: 6’3” | Weight: 312 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt senior

Florida NFL Draft history (last pick …)

By position
QB – 2021 (Kyle Trask)
RB – 2022 (Dameon Pierce)
WR – 2021 (Kadarius Toney)
TE – 2021 (Kyle Pitts)
OT – 2021 (Stone Forsythe)
OG – 2015 (Trenton Brown)
C – 2015 (Max Garcia)
DT – 2021 (Zachary Carter)
DE – 2020 (Jabari Zuniga, Jonathan Greenard)
LB – 2019 (Vosean Joseph)
CB – 2022 (Kaiir Elam)
S – 2021 (Shawn Davis)
K – 2021 (Evan McPherson)
P – 2018 (Johnny Townsend)

By team
Arizona Cardinals – 2021 (CB Marco Wilson)
Atlanta Falcons – 2021 (TE Kyle Pitts)
Baltimore Ravens – 2013 (S Matt Elam)
Buffalo Bills – 2022 (CB Kaiir Elam)
Carolina Panthers – 2019 (RB Jordan Scarlett)
Chicago Bears – 2016 (DE Jonathan Bullard)
Cincinnati Bengals – 2021 (DT Zachary Carter)
Cleveland Browns – 2018 (WR Antonio Callaway)
Dallas Cowboys – 2017 (DT Joey Ivie)
Denver Broncos – 2020 (WR Tyrie Cleveland)
Detroit Lions – 2017 (LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jalen Tabor)
Green Bay Packers – 2021 (DT Tedarrell Slaton)
Houston Texans – 2020 (RB Dameon Pierce)
Indianapolis Colts – 2021 (S Shawn Davis)
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2020 (CB C.J. Henderson)
Kansas City Chiefs – 2016 (WR Demarcus Robinson)
Los Angeles Chargers – 2007 (LB Brandon Siler)
Los Angeles Rams – 2020 (WR Van Jefferson)
Miami Dolphins – 2013 (LB Jelani Jenkins, RB Mike Gillislee, K Caleb Sturgis)
Minnesota Vikings – 2013 (DT Sharrif Floyd)
New England Patriots – 2018 (CB Duke Dawson)
New Orleans Saints – 2019 (S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson)
New York Giants – 2021 (WR Kadarius Toney)
New York Jets – 2020 (DE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perine)
Las Vegas Raiders – N/A / Oakland Raiders 2018 – (P Johnny Townsend)
Philadelphia Eagles – 2016 (DE Alex McCalister)
Pittsburgh Steelers – 2012 (RB Chris Rainey)
San Francisco 49ers – 2018 (S Marcell Harris)
Seattle Seahawks – 2021 (WR Stone Forsythe)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2021 (QB Kyle Trask)
Tennessee Titans – 2007 (CB Ryan Smith)
Washington Football Team – 2015 (RB Matt Jones)