As the New York Jets get ready for their Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons, they’re still looking for ways to add depth on defense.
After signing veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders last week, the team brought in former first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam for a visit on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
A 2022 first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, Elam never found success in Orchard Park. Despite his draft pedigree, he struggled to lock down a full-time role, starting only 12 games and appearing in 29 during his time with the Bills.
The cornerback’s second season brought an even tougher stretch as Elam opened the year as a healthy scratch behind Christian Benford, then landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury in November. He wound up appearing in just three games that season and finished his tenure as a Bill on a sour note.
Elam got a fresh start in March when the Bills dealt him to the Dallas Cowboys, packaging the corner with a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 seventh. Dallas declined his fifth-year option in May, setting him up for free agency this offseason, before waiving him on Saturday.
Across 39 career games, the former Florida standout has recorded 97 tackles and 29 stops. Opposing quarterbacks have also completed 89 of 129 passes his way for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns, while Elam has produced four interceptions.
In 10 games with the Cowboys this season (seven starts), he compiled 29 total tackles alongside a pass breakup, while earning a solid 74.6 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus and a mediocre 60.0 coverage grade.
With a high draft pedigree, Elam is hoping for another chance, and the Jets are taking a look to see whether that opportunity makes sense for both sides.
