Updated details of Kaiir Elam trade after latest Cowboys pick

Buffalo Bills v Detroit Lions
Buffalo Bills v Detroit Lions | Todd Rosenberg/GettyImages

The Dallas Cowboys are hopefully working on a wide receiver trade. They have made five picks thus far and have not addressed the position despite it being the biggest need on the roster.

That's not necessarily a bad thing as Dallas is putting together an outstanding draft. They are letting the board fall to them and drafting for need only if it aligns with their rankings. Drafting a wide receiver a this point would be hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

Whatever move the front office makes to address WR, fans will be hoping it moves the needle more than the Kaiir Elam trade.

As we get into the latter stages of the draft, the full details of the Elam trade have started to come full-circle. It took one step closer to being finalized when Dallas used the No. 204 pick on Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius, whom they listed as a guard.

Updated details of Kaiir Elam trade after Cowboys draft

The trade won't be finalized on Saturday because the Cowboys also sent a 2026 seventh-round selection to the Bills in addition to a 2025 fifth-rounder. Meanwhile, Dallas acquired Elam and the Bills' 2025 sixth-round pick, which was used on Cornelius

Here's where things stand after the Cornelius selection.

Cowboys receive

  • CB Kaiir Elam
  • OG Ajani Cornelius

Bills receive

  • CB Jordan Hancock
  • 2026 seventh-round pick

This trade is all but finalized. It will be interesting to see what the Bills do with next year's seventh-rounder, but both teams should be satisfied with these returns.

Elam gives the Cowboys a former first-round talent in a secondary that needs bodies with Trevon Diggs, Josh Butler and third-round pick Shevon Revel all recovering from torn ACLs. Cornelius, meanwhile offers more depth along the interior despite starting every game at right tackle last season. You can never have too much OL depth in the NFL.

The Bills got a steal with Hancock in the fifth round. He started in the nickel position for Ohio State, but he has the versatility to play safety, outside CB and in the box. The nickel probably be his best position as a pro due to his limitations in man coverage, but he's an interchangeable defender.

Elam will need to step up big time for Dallas to win this trade.