The Buffalo Bills are moving on from Kaiir Elam.
The Bills are trading Elam, a former-first round pick, to the Dallas Cowboys. The Bills will acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick, with the Cowboys receiving Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) defends Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News) Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Elam, who turns 24 in May, was never able to solidify a starting role at cornerback. The Bills traded up to draft him in 2022, at No. 23 overall. Now, he gets a fresh start in the NFC.
Elam played just 29 regular-season games (12 starts) in three seasons with the Bills.
This past season, Elam was sometimes a healthy scratch, and he started four of the 13 games he played in.
"I mean, the special teams piece hurts from that standpoint," general manager Brandon Beane said of Elam in January. "I'd say Ja'Marcus (Ingram) was a more valuable asset on special teams, with numbers. Once you decided that your starters were Christian (Benford) and Rasul (Douglas), Ja'Marcus was playing a lot of roles, was playing a backup nickel role at times with Cam Lewis. You only can put up so many guys.
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"I know that was frustrating for Kaiir. I think there has been a lot of frustration there for him. He's been a pro. He's handled it well. It's definitely not how he envisioned it the day we drafted him or we envisioned it."
Still, Beane and other Bills coaches praised Elam's attitude behind the scenes.
"He's such a team (player)," Beane said. "You talk to him, he keeps his head up as best he can. Tough spot to go in when you haven't played as much. You always wonder, where was their confidence level? ... I can tell you the guy prepares like he's starting every single week, even when he was on the inactive list. That's hard. It's a testament to what a pro he is. Finished year three, I'm sure he's going to recharge and prepare himself for year four."
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