The Kansas City Chiefs have dipped into the free agent pool yet again.
According to a report from NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Chiefs are signing cornerback Kaiir Elam.
Elam is the second cornerback Kansas City has acquired during free agency after signing Kader Kohou last month. It was one of its biggest positions of need after trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and letting Jaylen Watson walk.
What Are Kansas City Chiefs Getting in CB Kaiir Elam?
GettyFormer Buffalo Bills CB Kaiir Elam
Elam was a first-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2022. In a funny twist, the Bills only took Elam because the Chiefs traded up over them to select McDuffie, who Buffalo was hoping to land. Elam was considered one of the best cornerbacks in that draft class, but his collegiate success never fully translated to the NFL.
Although he was inconsistent, Elam showed some promise during his rookie year. The Bills were hoping he would have a breakout season in 2023, but he missed most of the season with a torn ligament in his foot. Elam couldn’t elevate his game in 2024, starting in only four games. He made just 12 total starts for Buffalo during his tenure.
That led to the Bills trading Elam to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 offseason, giving up on him after just three years. Despite Dallas having a weak secondary, Elam struggled to fit in, and was released in late November after appearing in 10 games with the Cowboys. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans days later, where he finished out the season.
Elam is a low risk, potential high reward signing for the Chiefs. Him entering the mix won’t prohibit them from taking a cornerback with a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and secondary coach Dave Merritt are known for getting the most out of their defensive backs, so perhaps they can get Elam on the right track.
Examining the State of Chiefs’ Cornerbacks
GettyChiefs CB Nohl Williams
As things currently sit, Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton project to be the top two cornerbacks for Kansas City in 2026. Williams showed a lot of promise as a rookie in 2025, and Fulton had a strong showing during the last month of the season.
Kohou should compete for primary nickel cornerback duties, which was his role with the Miami Dolphins from 2022-2024. He is coming off a torn ACL injury that cost him the entire 2025 season, but he could be cleared and ready to go by training camp.
Kansas City has a pair of cornerbacks who it signed as undrafted free agents last year in Kevin Knowles and Melvin Smith Jr. Knowles flashed a bit in 13 appearances with the Chiefs last season on both defense and special teams. He could get a long look for an increased role in 2026. Smith spent most of 2025 on the practice squad.
Also in the mix are Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace, who are cornerback/safety hybrids. Both could see action as nickel cornerbacks, but ideally Kohou will hold that role down and keep Conner and Roland-Wallace primarily at safety, where they have flourished the most.
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