“I feel good about it,” Brian Schottenheimer said about the Cowboys CB depth.
Kaiir Elam has been “awesome for us,” mentioning his speed in the early phases in the offseason. Schottenheimer didn’t want to put a timeline on the injured guys. pic.twitter.com/FXOo1REsCx
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) May 20, 2025
Cornerback is a position where the Dallas Cowboys could still use some help, despite OTAs kicking off this week. Injuries and questions about where each corner can and will line up has the position in flux. To try and combat those shortcomings, the team added pieces in the offseason, including trading for veteran Kaiir Elam, a former first-round pick.
Elam was highly regarded coming out of college, leading the Buffalo Bills to select him with the 23rd pick overall. Despite a solid rookie season where Elam started with two interceptions in his first six games, things have gone downhill since. Elam had picks in back-to-back games during Weeks 5 and 6 but hasn’t intercepted a pass since and was replaced in the Bills‘ starting lineup. In the last two years, the young CB has started in just six games.
The big dip in production and play led the Bills to trade away a CB who is just 24-years old. In giving up fifth and seventh-round picks, the Cowboys were hoping a change of scenery could get Elam back to being the prospect he was when he entered the league.
Early indications are that’s exactly what’s happening. For whatever reason, Elam fell out of favor with the Bills, but he looks like he’s fitting in well with Dallas. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer singled out Elam ahead of OTAs as a reason to feel good about the CB group.
In the first OTA session, Elam lined up as one of the starting outside CBs, an indication he’s ready to get back to his high level of play.
The Cowboys are known for their reclamation projects on highly drafted players. Some work out, some don’t. Last offseason the team traded third-round selection Nahshon Wright for a former second-round pick, Andrew Booth, which hasn’t turned out well. Booth was beaten often early in the year when pressed into action, and he was inactive in the middle of the season until injuries forced the team’s hand.
However, other similar players the team has acquired have paid off. Linebacker Rolando McClain, safety Ken Hamlin, and wide receiver Laurent Robinson come to mind as early-round selections who played their best football in Dallas. The Cowboys are hoping that Elam will follow their paths.
Elam’s loving the fit with his new team as well. The fourth-year CB is among several players who are raving about the enthusiasm Schottenheimer has brought to the Cowboys.
The Cowboys also traded for former premium drafted players Kenneth Murray and George Pickens in hopes of turning things around in 2025. The organization needs the change of scenery to work with all of them, but Elam might be the defense’s most important acquisition this offseason. The team needs quality CB play until Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel are healthy enough to join the fray, and no one knows when that will be. Even when everyone returns, Elam will be counted on as integral depth.
If the Cowboys do move All-Pro CB DaRon Bland to the inside for most of his snaps, which could be the case, Elam must play to his draft status. If he plays like he did with the Bills, the Cowboys’ passing defense could struggle.
Elam’s role in the defense is a vital one and they’re hoping a change in scenery pays off. The early returns are positive, which bodes well for the Cowboys.
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