Cowboys Acquire Former First-Round Pick From Bills in Blockbuster Trade

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James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela. 


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The Dallas Cowboys are continuing their free agency gains by trading for a former first-round pick cornerback.

More news: Rams Are Officially Releasing All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp

The Bills are sending Kaiir Elam and a sixth-rounder to the Cowboys in exchange for fifth- and future seventh-round picks.

Elam will now presumably get a starting role with the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones
New head coach of the Dallas Cowboys Brian Schottenheimer listens as team owner Jerry Jones talks during a press conference at The Star in Frisco on January 27, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

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Dallas needed more help at secondary, as the team lost Jourdan Lewis, who signed a new deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Losing Lewis impacted the team's plans at secondary, and now they have a presumed starter in Elam.

Elam fell down on the depth chart behind Christian Benford, leading to his dip in production. Through 13 games, Elam secured 26 total tackles and two passes defended.

Elam missed most of the 2023 season due to a torn ligament in his foot, which followed a solid rookie season that included two interceptions and 41 combined tackles.

The former first-round pick was drafted out of Florida at No. 23 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Elam impressed with the Gators, bringing in 79 total tackles, six interceptions, and 20 passes defended through three seasons.

Elam was looked at to be a lockdown corner and showed flashes of that during his rookie season with the Bills. However, his injury in 2023 seemed to impact him in a way that also affected his 2024 season.

The good news is Elam can now find a starting role in the Cowboys' secondary. As stated, the secondary for the team is dealing with multiple issues.

On top of losing Lewis, the Cowboys were without DaRon Bland for most of the 2024 season. Bland suffered a stress fracture in training camp, leading to him missing most of the season.

Trevon Diggs was also dealing with injuries in the 2024 season and saw his playing time cut short by needing to undergo season-ending knee surgery. Diggs is expected to be recovered by the time the regular season comes around, but this is the second knee injury he sustained in two seasons.

Diggs missed most of the 2023 season after suffering an ACL tear in the first two weeks. Diggs' injury concerns are likely going to lead the Cowboys to explore even more options at secondary.

At least for now, they can take a flier on Elam and hope that he can rebound as a member of the Cowboys.

More NFL:

Cowboys Reportedly Not 'In the Mix' For Cooper Kupp

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About the writer

James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela. 


Writers Page

James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video ... Read more