Cornerback is a position of note for the Buffalo Bills this offseason, but it isn’t quite as immediate a need as some mock draft artists seem to believe. The Bills have a trustworthy trio in Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston and free agent signing Dee Alford in the slot.
Depth is the pressing need at the position, and the Bills could feasibly resolve that in free agency, whether by re-signing long-time Bills veteran Tre White or finding a fresh face. One name Bills Mafia wouldn’t have wanted to entertain in that effort was their own former first-round bust, Kaiir Elam.Â
Of course, he’s no longer an option, as NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reported on Thursday that Elam signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost both of their top cornerbacks this offseason. With the intra-division AFC rival picking up the Bills’ past failure, the Mafia can lick its chops at the mistake the Chiefs just made for their defense.
Buffalo Bills have clear scouting report on Kaiir Elam entering Chiefs stint
Elam, the No. 23 overall pick by the Bills in 2022, played just three seasons in Buffalo before he was sent on his way via trade to the Dallas Cowboys. He started just 12 games in that time, allowing 70% of passes in his coverage area to be completed in each season.Â
Things didn’t improve dramatically in Dallas, which waived him in late November after starting seven of 10 games played. Elam was a touch more reliable in coverage, allowing just 55% of passes to be completed. Still, he allowed three touchdowns while only deflecting a single pass and stretching his interception drought to its fourth season.
The Tennessee Titans picked Elam up just a few days after his Cowboys release, but he only defended seven pass attempts on 78 defensive snaps for the AFC South franchise.
The Chiefs are in a desperate spot after watching both Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie land with the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs traded McDuffie to L.A. willingly, and got the Rams’ first-round pick at No. 29 in return. They’ll likely use one of their first-round selections at cornerback in an effort to develop another star like McDuffie.
With that in mind, Elam is likely a depth signing where he can continue to hone his craft. Elam turns 25 next month, so he has time to turn his career around, especially with a support system led by head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.Â
Nonetheless, Bills Mafia should feel confident that if Elam is on the field for their home game against the Chiefs during the 2026 regular season, it’s a big advantage for Buffalo. While there’s been a regime change in Buffalo since Elam last wore the colors, the Bills are plenty familiar with their most recent first-round bust and can use that to their advantage.
Time will tell if Elam can get onto and stay on the field for the Chiefs’ defense. Whether or not he does will nonetheless add another intriguing wrinkle to the Bills-Chiefs rivalry this year.