The Baltimore Ravens or Carolina Panthers may trade for former first-round pick cornerback, Kaiir Elam this regular season. According to multiple reports, a source has Elam heading to the Commanders since it was a disastrous rookie year for Emmanuel Forbes Jr. after the team took a chance on him with the 2023 first-round draft pick. The Commanders are starting a new era under Jayden Daniels and things don’t look bright in their secondary after their loss against the Buccaneers. However, it makes sense why the source is urging Washington to trade for Elam since he tends to shine at his best in the postseason.
It’s going to take a lot of growing pains for the new regime for Washington to get there but no one should count that out. Elam isn’t the brightest cornerback as injuries have been slowing down his development. The Florida product notched 41 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions in just 13 games with six of them being starts. Elam didn’t play much after being a participant in three games meaning that he missed out on 17 games across two seasons. He’s likely a good asset as a reserve role since it’ll look like Rasul Douglas, Taron Johnson and Christian Benford leading the Bills’ secondary group.
However, he may be better off joining a team like the Ravens. A championship roster with the likes of Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens even though they drafted Nate Wiggins with this year’s first-round pick. Elam is a sensible trade chip being that Buffalo has a deep group of cornerbacks but some insurance may be what the Ravens after being torched by Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice last game. The Panthers are a team that needs a cornerback after their blowout loss against the Saints.
Ravens, Panthers May Trade For Former First Round Pick Kaiir Elam
Carolina Needs Help Now
Any type of help that the Panthers could bring in, they probably need it now. The performance against the Saints was atrocious after Derek Carr put up three first-half touchdowns. Jaycee Horn needs all the help he can get out there. Washington may need help replacing Forbes but any type of reinforcements for Horn would be helpful. Carolina can’t depend on their offense to keep up with the opposing team’s obliteration of their defense.
They were close to getting Stephon Gilmore this past offseason but he’s with the Vikings. Any type of cornerback help would get the Panthers’ defense in the right direction while the season is still early.
Other Potential Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
Trent McDuffie has large shoes to fill for L’Jarius Sneed this season alongside Joshua Williams. They were able to hold it down against a powerful Ravens offense but any depth help early would give some comfortability behind them. It won’t be the same secondary but since they have a strong pass-rushing unit, someone needs to step up to make those crucial interceptions while the opposing quarterback throws it quickly. Elam is no Sneed but the Chiefs could bring him into the rotation to see if he can improve his game around the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Dallas Cowboys
America’s team was on fire holding their weight on defense against the Browns. However, they must be able to come up big in prime-time games and while Jourdan Lewis has that experience, he’s been a disappointment in crucial moments. Trevon Diggs can only do so much since he’ll likely take on the pressure of those moments but adding someone like Elam in the rotation wouldn’t hurt. The Cowboys may want to keep DaRon Bland playing on limited snaps when he comes back so rotating Elam and Rookie Caelen Carson should be enough playmakers for the team to make a play.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have a deep group of cornerbacks including Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, Lattimore still remains a hot trade target this season especially since they were able to put on a show against second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Saints would still need insurance so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Bills offer a second-round pick and Elam in exchange for Lattimore.
