Kaiir Elam has intriguing comments on trade from Buffalo Bills to Dallas Cowboys
Former Buffalo Bills first-round pick and current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kaiir Elam looks to make the most of his new opportunity in Texas.
At his introductory press conference for the Cowboys, Elam reflected upon his time in Buffalo, as he was traded to Dallas. Interestingly, it seems like Elam felt like he was an afterthought, even as a highly-touted draft pick.
“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 reflected.
Over the course of his three seasons in Buffalo, Elam gradually shifted from spot starter to game-day inactive for the Bills. Elam highlights he was not necessarily a priority, being placed in "the back seat." However, the combination of his struggles on the field in addition to Christian Benford's ascension contributed to Elam's backslide down the depth chart.
Benford was part of the same draft class as Elam. However, as a sixth-round pick, Benford clearly understood the defensive scheme much better than Elam. Benford is now on the cusp of a major payday, and Elam is off to his second team, failing to complete his initial contract for Buffalo.
To his credit, Elam kept working diligently with the Bills staff in an attempt to see more time on the field.
Elam added, “I continued to put my head down and work, continued to make plays throughout the season and in the playoffs and stuff like that. I just took everything I learned from there and all the baggage and improvements I felt like I needed to make and just packaged it up and worked on it every day." The Florida product sees a glimmer of good from his time in Buffalo. "I don’t really see it as a negative. I really just see it as a growing opportunity for me to go shine somewhere else.”
Nevertheless, Elam fell out of favor with the Bills coaching staff. He sees the move will give him a better opportunity to succeed.
“I’m confident because I’m coming into a staff that truly believes in me. I don’t think they would’ve made the move if they didn’t. I feel like everything starts with an opportunity, so if I’m able to come in here and compete and show what I can do, that’s all I really would want.” Elam added, “I don’t need a red carpet or anything like that. I just want to be able to earn it with a fair opportunity.”
Elam arrived with a great deal of promise. He was a standout for the Florida Gators, excelling at man coverage with his athleticism and speed. Elam was the fourth cornerback taken in the first round of the 2022 draft. Derek Stingly, Ahmad Gardner, and Trent McDuffie were selected ahead of Elam; McDuffie was picked two spots ahead of Elam. Buffalo traded up to the 23rd overall spot to select Elam.
However, Elam's skills did not consistently materialize for Buffalo. Benford jumped him on the depth chart. The Bills traded for Rasul Douglas.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane conceded that the pick didn't work out. "Ultimately it's on me. I made the selection that didn't work out and I own that." Beane added that he's "rooting for Kaiir" in Dallas.
For Bills fans, the unfortunate lasting impression of Elam was the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Elam stepped up in for an injured Benford. However, Elam struggled in coverage and never looked comfortable on the field. On several occasions, Elam played far-off receivers, giving up a great deal of space. The lack of confidence from the Buffalo brass was apparent.
Ultimately, the trade is a best-case scenario for both Elam and the Bills.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Kaiir Elam has intriguing comments on trade from Bills to Cowboys
Topics
-
Cowboys trading for Bills former first-round CB Kaiir Elam, adding depth to key area of need
Dallas will receive Elam and a 2025 sixth-round selection while Buffalo will receive a 2025 fifth-rounder and 2026 seventh-rounderCBS Sports - Mar. 12 -
2025 NFL draft: List of Bills selections after comp picks are awarded, Kaiir Elam tradde
An updated view of the Buffalo Bills draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft next month following the trade of Kaiir Elam.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Cowboys get Titans' Murray, Bills' Elam via trades
The Cowboys pulled off a pair of trades Wednesday to bolster their defense, acquiring former first-round picks LB Kenneth Murray Jr. from the Titans and CB Kaiir Elam from the Bills.ESPN - Mar. 12 -
Bills trade CB Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys
The Cowboys needed cornerback help with slot corner Jourdan Lewis signing with the Jaguars and outside corner Trevon Diggs' 2025 season in doubt after left knee surgery Jan. 23.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 12 -
Kaiir Elam looks forward to new opportunity after being in the "back seat" with the Bills
Cornerback Kaiir Elam played his first three seasons with the Bills after they made him a first-round pick.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
'I was always put in the back seat': New Cowboys CB Kaiir Elam confident he'll succeed after trade from Bills
The former first-round pick is getting a fresh startCBS Sports - 3d -
ESPN gives Tennessee Titans a 'B+' for the Kenneth Murray trade to the Dallas Cowboys
The Tennessee Titans decided to move on from linebacker Kenneth Murray in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys and ESPN thinks it was a good move.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Cowboys trading for Kenneth Murray: Former first-round LB heading to Dallas in deal with Titans, per report
Dallas continues to beef up its linebacker depthCBS Sports - Mar. 12 -
NFL free agency 2025: Cowboys lose DeMarcus Lawrence, Rico Dowdle; add CB Kaiir Elam, LB Kenneth Murray
The Cowboys are finally making some moves in free agency.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Kevin Holland says UFC Fight Night 255 bout not permanent move down to welterweight
LONDON – Kevin Holland still plans on bouncing around weight classes after UFC Fight Night 255. Holland (26-13 MMA, 13-10 UFC) takes on the returning Gunnar Nelson (19-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a ...Yahoo Sports - 35m -
Westside Gunn's 4th Rope promotion aims to merge cultures and create a new space for longtime fans
Buffalo rapper Westside Gunn has spent the last few years ingratiating himself to professional wrestling promotions and talents alike, while naming projects, songs and dedicating references to ...Yahoo Sports - 36m -
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB, Khalil Dorsey, in free agencyYahoo Sports - 38m -
Sacha Boisvert win NCHC Rookie of the Year
Mar. 20—ST. PAUL, Minn. — When Sacha Boisvert walks into Ralph Engelstad Arena, he takes note of the legendary players on the walls. "You always want to be one of those guys," Boisvert said. "When ...Yahoo Sports - 42m -
Mier Panoam latest UND men's basketball player to enter transfer portal
Mar. 20—GRAND FORKS — UND guard Mier Panoam will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to a report from Rivals on Thursday afternoon. Panoam shared the report on his social media account on X, ...Yahoo Sports - 43m
More in Sports
-
Kevin Holland says UFC Fight Night 255 bout not permanent move down to welterweight
LONDON – Kevin Holland still plans on bouncing around weight classes after UFC Fight Night 255. Holland (26-13 MMA, 13-10 UFC) takes on the returning Gunnar Nelson (19-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a ...Yahoo Sports - 35m -
Westside Gunn's 4th Rope promotion aims to merge cultures and create a new space for longtime fans
Buffalo rapper Westside Gunn has spent the last few years ingratiating himself to professional wrestling promotions and talents alike, while naming projects, songs and dedicating references to ...Yahoo Sports - 36m -
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB
The Lions bring back a key special teams ace and reserve CB, Khalil Dorsey, in free agencyYahoo Sports - 38m -
Sacha Boisvert win NCHC Rookie of the Year
Mar. 20—ST. PAUL, Minn. — When Sacha Boisvert walks into Ralph Engelstad Arena, he takes note of the legendary players on the walls. "You always want to be one of those guys," Boisvert said. "When ...Yahoo Sports - 42m -
Brazil vs. Colombia odds, where to watch, live stream: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying prediction, pick, lineups
Fifth-place Brazil is one point behind fourth-place ColombiaCBS Sports - 43m