The Buffalo Bills have been busy in the leadup to the start of the 2025 league year, and one local beat reporter believes the team could trade first-round pick Kaiir Elam to the Carolina Panthers. Selected with the 23rd-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Elam hasn’t lived up to expectations but has had moments of brilliance throughout his short NFL career. Unfortunately, those moments have been too few and far between, and Buffalo could move on without the Florida product.
Earlier in the day, Muki Hawkins of 96.5FM tweeted and deleted a post saying “Elam to Panthers.” He clarified this in a later tweet, saying that the trade has “not been confirmed” but that the cornerback “has been mentioned” in trade talks. While this is nothing more than just a rumor right now, this move would make sense for both sides. Of course, other teams could sweep in and acquire Elam before the Panthers can officially welcome him to Charlotte.
Elam to panthers has not been confirmed but his name has been in mentioned in talks…but Elam could be on the move.
— Muki Hawkins (@wufosports) March 8, 2025
Panthers, Bills Connected In Kaiir Elam Trade Rumors – Other Suitors Possible
The Carolina Panthers have one of the league’s worst defenses and could use as much help as they can get. While the defensive line is the biggest issue, the secondary needs someone to complement Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn. Mike Jackson had a surprisingly strong season, but he’s a free agent and could leave for greener pastures. Even if they do re-sign him, the Panthers could use a cost-effective third cornerback. Kaiir Elam is still on his rookie contract, and a trade with the Bills shouldn’t prevent the Panthers from signing a pass rusher or two.
While the Panthers appear to be the frontrunners in the Kaiir Elam trade sweepstakes, another team could sweep in and strike a deal with the Bills. In no particular order, the following three teams could make a move for the cornerback.
Other Fits
Washington Commanders
The arrow is pointing up for the Washington Commanders as they attempt to capitalize on Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract. After making the NFC Championship Game in 2024, the team now has $79.7 million in cap space to improve the roster and chase a Lombardi Trophy. Kaiir Elam may not be a lockdown cornerback, but the Bills trade target could easily start for this woebegone secondary. Bringing him on as depth and targeting someone like D.J. Reed in free agency could fix this team’s biggest weakness.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints traded Marshon Lattimore last year and will likely lose Paulson Adebo to the open market. Second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry had a strong rookie season, but he can’t cover the entire field. Without the financial resources to target top free agents, the Saints could trade for Kaiir Elam and use him as a cost-effective starter in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the NFL’s best rosters, but they could use another cornerback to take that next step. The team knows this, as they tried to get something out of Tre’Davious White last year. That didn’t work out, but another former Buffalo cornerback could be just what the doctor ordered. The Bills won’t want to trade Kaiir Elam to one of their biggest conference rivals, but stranger things have happened.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – Imagn Images