Elam had his fifth-year option declined by the Cowboys on Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dallas would have had to pay Elam, a depth corner with the Bills last year, about $12.7 million in 2026 if it had picked up the option, per Fowler. Elam was a first-round pick of the Bills in 2022, but he struggled to secure a starting role before being traded to the Cowboys in March. He'll now try to compete for a role in the last year of his rookie contract.

The Bills agreed Wednesday to trade Elam and a sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for future fifth- and seventh-round picks, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elam handled a depth role across 13 regular-season appearances with Buffalo in 2024, recording 26 total tackles (17 solo) and two passes defensed. The 2022 first-round pick, now heading into the final year of his rookie contract, will work to improve his coverage skills and rebound with a new squad.

Elam tallied 26 total tackles (17 solo) and two passes defended over 13 regular-season games in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

Elam, a 2022 first-round pick from Florida, has started just 12 regular-season games for the Bills since entering the NFL, with four of those starts coming this season. He struggled in coverage across 292 defensive snaps, allowing 11.4 yards per completion and a 104.9 passer rating when targeted. Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Elam is likely to remain one of Buffalo's top reserve cornerbacks again in 2025 following his inconsistent performance in 2024.

Elam (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Elam opened the Bills' week of practice with back-to-back limited sessions; however, he upgraded to full practice Friday, suggesting that he's moved past his shoulder issue in time for Sunday's matchup. Now that the Florida product is back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of Buffalo's top rotational cornerbacks in Week 10.

Elam (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

The 2022 first-round pick from Florida played a season-high 57 defensive snaps and recorded five total tackles in the Bills' Week 9 win over the Dolphins. However, it appears he picked up a shoulder injury in the process. Elam's participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play through the issue in Sunday's matchup against the Colts.

Elam is starting at cornerback in Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Christian Benford (wrist) sidelined, Elam will get the start. It will be a big opportunity for the 2022 first-round pick, who has had a lot of trade noise surrounding him since the summer.

Elam is coming off a strong training camp as Buffalo gets ready for its preseason opener against the Bears on Saturday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports. Veteran teammate Dion Dawkins said this week, "I'm happy that '5' is doing what he does now, and he can show us why he's a first-round pick ... when he gets in a game, Kaiir does what he does, and he's in practice and he's showing it. I'm just happy that Kaiir is feeling more like his self."

EDGE Analysis

Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford are the two carryover starters from last season at the corner spots, while hybrid player Taron Johnson is probably the best secondary player left on the team, so Elam becoming a starter is far from a certainty. However, the Bills run a defense in which several corners see the field with regularity, and Elam -- the team's 2022 first-round pick who hasn't really panned out yet, partly due to injuries -- looks to be in that mix after making some big strides this offseason.

Elam received extra reps throughout the spring due to veteran Rasul Douglas missing the voluntary OTA sessions, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Elam hasn't quite panned out yet as a first-round draft choice from 2022, but all the talk around the Bills this offseason seems to indicate the team is going to give him a fair crack at playing time in 2024. He's currently listed as a backup behind Douglas (who did show up for all non-voluntary work) and holdover Christian Benford, but with Tre'Davious White departing to the Rams, there's a real chance for Elam to see meaningful playing time, whether as a key backup or even sneaking his way into a starter's role.

Elam, who missed most of the 2023 regular season due to an ankle injury and coaching decisions, finished with 14 total tackles over three regular-season games.

EDGE Analysis

Elam did appear in both of the Bills' playoff games, though he was limited to special teams in the divisional-round loss to the Chiefs. So far in his young career, Elam's output in two NFL seasons hasn't come close to matching his first-round status, but the Bills had to let several secondary members move on this season and will likely spend one of their high picks on receiver, so Elam may be earmarked for a more prominent role in 2024 even if he's not a starter just yet. Some comments from team brass in the offseason have indicated the Bills are hopeful Elam is ready to make that jump in performance.

Elam (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Elam was designated to return from IR on Dec. 6, and he's finally rejoining the active roster three weeks later. Buffalo's first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft will have a chance to slot back in at cornerback Sunday against the Patriots.