The Dallas Cowboys made a calculated move to address their thinning secondary, acquiring cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills in a trade that's generating buzz for its low cost and high potential.
The deal, confirmed by both teams, sees Dallas send a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for Elam and a 2025 sixth-round selection, per Todd Archer of ESPN.
For a Cowboys team reeling from the loss of nickel corner Jourdan Lewis to the Jacksonville Jaguars and uncertainty surrounding Trevon Diggs' recovery from knee surgery, this trade offers a much-needed infusion of talent at a bargain price.
Elam, the 23rd overall pick in the 2022, brings a pedigree that once had scouts drooling over him. At 6'1" with a college resume boasting three interceptions as a Florida Gator freshman, he flashed early promise in Buffalo, snagging two picks in his 2022 rookie season.
However, his tenure with the Bills fizzled, with just 12 starts across 29 games and a 2024 campaign marred by inconsistent play and healthy scratches. His struggles peaked in the AFC Championship Game, where Patrick Mahomes exploited him after starter Christian Benford's injury. Nonetheless, at just 23 years old, Elam's youth and physical tools make him an intriguing reclamation project.
For Dallas, the trade heavily aligns with their offseason approach of betting on former high picks needing a fresh start-like Solomon Thomas and Payton Turner earlier this month. With Diggs' 2025 availability in doubt and DaRon Bland as the lone proven starter, Elam joins a cornerback room desperate for depth.
The Cowboys sacrificed little, leveraging a compensatory fifth-rounder, and gained a sixth-round pick in return. If Elam rediscovers his form, this could be a steal; if not, it's a low-stakes swing. Either way, Dallas is playing the long game on their future.
Related: Cowboys Follow 3 Patterns As Moves Include Another Trade for Another Starter
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This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 1:19 PM.