This former first-round NFL draft pick just got waived after only 10 games with his new team

The Buffalo Bills swung and missed on Kaiir Elam in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Entering the draft, cornerback was the Bills’ biggest need, so it was no surprise when the team selected Elam with the 23rd overall pick in the draft. Despite his draft status, Elam struggled to crack the starting lineup in his tenure with the Bills. Over three seasons, Elam appeared in 29 games but made just 12 starts.

After failing to make an impact in three seasons, it was clear that Elam and the Bills were heading for a parting of ways in the offseason. Buffalo looked to give Elam a fresh start and traded the cornerback to the Dallas Cowboys. The Bills sent Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick.

The trade is not looking promising for Dallas.

On Saturday, the Cowboys waived Elam and elevated running back Malik Davis from the practice squad. Elam had a strong summer in Dallas, but it did not carry over to the regular season. The cornerback made seven starts and appeared in 10 games, but recorded just 29 total tackles and one pass defensed in his time with the Cowboys.

The trade could be salvaged for Dallas depending on the career of Ajani Cornelius. Dallas used the sixth-round pick acquired from Buffalo on the Oregon Ducks offensive lineman. Cornelius has been inactive for most of his rookie season and was recently placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury.

Buffalo would use the fifth-round pick acquired from Dallas to select Ohio State defensive back Jordan Hancock in the 2025 draft. Hancock has appeared in seven games as a rookie, recording nine total tackles. Although his role has been limited as a rookie, Hancock is expected to take on a larger role in the secondary next year. In addition to Hancock, Buffalo will make their final pick acquired in the deal late in the 2026 NFL Draft.