There's a reason why former Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam is furious with how things ended with the team that made him a first-round pick back in 2022.
Elam was seemingly replaced in his rookie season by sixth-round project Christian Benford. For a first-round pick to see a perceived starting spot taken by a late-round steal, it isn't the best look for him.
That's why the Florida prospect has spoken out against his time with the Bills now that he has joined the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.
"I feel like the energy here is something I've never been a part of. I love the enthusiasm, and also I would just say the energy from the coaching staff, they actually make you feel like they care, and that's something that's very exciting," said Elam.
"Coming to Buffalo, I was a kid that just wanted to improve and learn and really show off my talents. But I was always put in the back seat."
Elam believes he never got a fair shot at hitting the starting lineup consistently.
Clearly, what he takes away from that failing is wrong, though. Benford earned his starting role as early as rookie minicamp for Buffalo back in their rookie campaigns.
Elam believed he deserved a starting role simply because he was a first-round pick.
That isn't how the NFL works, though. Elam was beaten out of playing time every season with the Bills. Had he shown he was capable of starring on the team, head coach Sean McDermott would have given him that chance.
He couldn't do that.
A change of scenery could be needed. But Elam's thought that it was Buffalo's fault for his failings is simply wrong.