With growing concern as to how the Dallas Cowboys will operate at cornerback as Trevon Diggs and third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr. work their way back from ACL injuries, a surprising candidate is off to a roaring start at Dallas' offseason workouts.
That is none other than the newly-acquired Kaiir Elam, who came over in March in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. While Elam's time in Orchard Park was a disappointment, he brings 29 games and 12 starts over three seasons with him to the Cowboys.
That experience is paying off in the early stages of OTAs. Coming off an electric initial practice that was open to the media, Elam was back firing on all cylinders in Thursday's session.
Cowboys CB Kaiir Elam continues to show out at OTAs
According to Cowboys staff writer Tommy Yarrish, Elam logged another pass breakup on a Dak Prescott pass. Yarrish noted in Dallas' first OTA practice available to the media that Elam tallied multiple PBUs and applied sticky coverage throughout drills.
"Elam was one of the standouts from Tuesday's media viewing, making several PBUs and sticking to his targets in man coverage well," Yarrish wrote."He fits the bill of what the Cowboys like at corner with a 6-foot-1, 191-pound frame and 4.39 speed that allows him to close really well."
It is still incredibly early in the offseason program, but Cowboys fans could not have asked for a better start from Elam. The defense desperately needs someone to step up on the outside while Diggs works his way back to the field.
Elam potentially developing into a starter could allow DaRon Bland to play in his familiar nickel position, where he's played a lot throughout OTAs so far.
Third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr. is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp. Does that mean he'll be ready to start come Week 1? It's too early to say, but it is very possible Dallas' opening day starters at cornerback are Bland, Elam and Revel.
The team also has 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson and training camp darling Kemon Hall could play his way onto the 53-man roster when all is said and done.
In any event, it is imperative that Elam continues to stack strong practices. Yes, it's only OTAs, but there is a clear pathway for him to walk into the starting lineup and he's been the biggest winner of the Cowboys' spring practices.
