The Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade involving 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam.
On X/Twitter, the Bills announced that they have traded Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for 2025 fifth and 2026 seventh-round picks. Elam has one season remaining on his rookie deal, and the Cowboys will likely decline the fifth-year option for 2026 that would make him a pending free agent.
Buffalo traded up via the Baltimore Ravens to select Elam with the No. 23 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Florida product was one of the top-ranked cornerback prospects of his class, earning Second-team All-SEC honors in 2020.
But Kaiir Elam never found his game under head coach Sean McDermott. He was only a designated starter in 12 games over three seasons, and injuries limited him to 29 game appearances in Buffalo.
Elam recorded two interceptions, six pass breakups and one fumble recovery over his tenure with the Bills. In five playoff games, the 23-year-old added two interceptions and three pass breakups.
According to Pro Football Reference, Kaiir Elam has allowed a 70.3 completion percentage and 100.0 passer rating when targeted in his career. Though he’s prone to giving up the big play, Elam has only allowed four touchdown receptions in coverage, per PFR.
Kaiir Elam Gets A Fresh Start With Cowboys
Elam never found his game with the Bills, but he should get every opportunity with Jerry Jones’ Cowboys. After all, the Dallas secondary is thin on playmakers outside of Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs.
For all his flaws as the Chicago Bears’ head coach, new Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus did well in developing quality corners like Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Perhaps Eberflus will manage to get the most out of Elam and help him reach his potential once and for all.
