Former Bills first-round pick is star of Cowboys training camp, could start Week 1
Ryan Miller
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
One team's draft bust might be another team's treasure.
Former Buffalo Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam is drawing rave reviews at Dallas Cowboys training camp. And he could start Week 1.
Buffalo traded Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick to Dallas for a 2025 fifth-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick in March. Elam has been working with the Cowboys starters ever since.
Elam, who was much-maligned in Buffalo, is having a "brilliant camp" with a team-high three interceptions during team drills, including a highlight-reel pick against Dak Prescott that went viral.
After tracking an over-the-shoulder interception while covering Jalen Tolbert, Elam handed the football to a young fan in the front row, then hoisted the boy onto the field to celebrate with the defense. The video, posted by Jon Machota of The Athletic, has more than 2 million views.
Elam was named the Cowboys' biggest standout from training camp so far by Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News.
"In Dallas, it’s been completely different for Elam. He’s had opportunities. He’s made the most of them. He’s been confident, sparked by consistent play since he arrived," Hoyt wrote. "He’s been the one immovable object in the Cowboys’ rotating secondary this offseason. He was fantastic in minicamp and OTAs and he carried that over to camp.
"Elam looks like a surefire starter for the Cowboys. He’s standing out on a regular basis. If he can do this in the regular season, it could be one of the better trades the Cowboys have made in recent memory."
Elam has major opportunity with Cowboys
The Cowboys have a depleted cornerback room, and Elam’s timing couldn’t be better.
Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland missed a combined 17 games in 2024. Diggs, coming off a torn ACL, is on the PUP list and may not be ready for the start of the season. Veteran Josh Butler is also returning from a torn ACL, and third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr. isn’t expected back by Week 1 after a rehab setback. Fifth-round pick Caelen Carson is out 4–6 weeks with a hyperextended knee.
In his introductory press conference with Dallas, Elam said he “put his head down” and worked hard in Buffalo despite feeling “put in the back seat.” He said he was grateful for a fresh start and the ability to earn playing time with a “fair opportunity.”
Elam's father, Abram Elam, played safety in the NFL for eight seasons, including two with the Cowboys.
Elam struggled to find consistency with Bills
The Bills selected Elam No. 23 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Elam was one of the youngest players in the draft class and while he enters his fourth season, he's still only 24 years old.
Elam was beaten out by Benford, a sixth-round pick the same year, to start in the season opener. Benford is now one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
In three seasons with the Bills, Elam appeared in 29 games with 12 starts, totaling 81 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and six passes defended. He allowed 64 completions on 91 targets (70.3%) for 738 yards and four touchdowns, with a 100.0 passer rating against, per Pro Football Reference. He did add two playoff interceptions.
In 2024, Elam was a healthy scratch four times, often sitting behind undrafted corner Ja’Marcus Ingram. His final appearance came in the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, where he was pressed into action after Benford left with a concussion. Patrick Mahomes immediately targeted him, completing two passes on his first series. Elam was flagged for a face mask and pass interference in the game.
The Bills used the fifth-rounder they received from the Cowboys in 2025 to take another cornerback, Ohio State's Jordan Hancock.
General manager Brandon Beane was hired in May 2017, shortly after the NFL Draft. Besides Elam, Beane's first round picks have been quarterback Josh Allen (2018), linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (2018), defensive tackle Ed Oliver (2019), defensive end Greg Rousseau (2021), tight end Dalton Kincaid (2023) and cornerback Maxwell Hairston (2025).
“Ultimately, it’s on me,” Beane said after he traded Elam. "I made the selection that didn’t work out and I own that. I’m confident, maybe a reset for him gives him a chance. I’m pulling for him.”
Kaiir Elam career stats
2022: 13 games, 6 starts; 41 tackles; 2 interceptions; 1 tackle for loss; 4 passes defended
2023: 3 games; 2 starts; 14 tackles
2024: 13 games, 4 starts; 26 tackles; 2 tackles for loss; 1 fumble recovery; 2 passes defended
Career: 29 games, 12 starts; 81 tackles; 3 tackles for loss; 2 interceptions; 1 fumble recovery; 6 passes defended
Former Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam is turning heads at Cowboys camp with standout plays, multiple interceptions, and a shot to start Week 1.
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