The Dallas Cowboys have continued adding to the roster in this offseason, acquiring multiple former first-round draft picks through trades with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.
Dallas first completed a trade with the Bills to acquire cornerback Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick (170th overall) and a 2026 seventh-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero.
Although Elam fills a need at the Cowboys’ cornerback position, he has struggled during his first three seasons in the league.
Elam has posted just 56 solo tackles across three seasons and only two interceptions in his career, both coming in his rookie season in 2022.
While the counting statistics do not indicate impressive seasons from Elam, Pro Football Focus graded him well during his limited snaps last season.
Elam ranked as the 35th-best cornerback in run defense and the 69th-best cornerback in the league at pass coverage, according to PFF.
Cowboys fans should not expect him to produce like a top 20 cornerback next season, but Elam could develop into a solid player for a Cowboys team that needs depth at the cornerback position.
Dallas followed this roster move by trading for Kenneth Murray Jr. and a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, according to The Cowboys.
Murray spent the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Titans for one season, where he collected 57 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks while securing one interception.
While Murray struggled at times with his run defense, ranking 185th out of 189 eligible linebackers on PFF, he excelled at rushing the passer and ranked 38th among eligible players at the position.
New Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus could utilize Murray as a pass rusher and allow him to blitz during certain packages, which would play to his strengths more than any other opportunity.
Dallas will likely rely on Murray and Jack Sanborn, who the team signed to a one-year contract, as two of the most important linebackers on the roster.
The Cowboys could also address the lack of depth at this position through the draft, with the team now possessing 10 total selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.