Should I Start Kaiir Elam?

Friday, May 2, 12:18 AM

The Dallas Cowboys chose not to pick up the fifth-year option for the 2026 season of cornerback Kaiir Elam, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Cowboys acquired Elam in a trade with the Buffalo Bills this offseason, but now he will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 campaign. The Bills drafted the 23-year-old defensive back with the 23rd overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Florida. If Dallas had picked up his fifth-year option, they would have had to pay Elam around $12.7 million in 2026. Elam played in only three games in his second season in Buffalo in 2023 and hasn't played more than 13 games in any of his first year years in the NFL while struggling to secure a starting role. He has just 81 tackles (56 solo), two interceptions, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his 29 games (12 starts). Elam will be competing for a spot on Dallas' 53-man roster this summer.