The New York Jets are coming off a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12, 23-10. During the loss, the defense held firm for the first half, but allowed 20 points in the second half.
While the offense in New York hasn't been great all year, the Jets have been showcasing decent play from the defense this season. One of the more impressive rooms has been the cornerback room, which has undergone a major transformation since the start of the year.
Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter III are gone, and Azareye'h Thomas, Brandon Stephens, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. Have made up a solid CB room. But, amid depth concerns, Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team reports the Jets hosted a former first-rounder on a visit.
Jets host former Bills, Cowboys first-round CB Kaiir Elam on visit
"The Jets hosted former Bills first-round CB Kaiir Elam on a visit today," Meirov reports. "He was recently released by Dallas."
Kaiir Elam is a free agent after being released by the Dallas Cowboys only partway into his Dallas career. He played in 10 games for the Cowboys, starting seven and recording one pass defensed, 29 tackles, and a passer rating allowed of 105.0.
Elam struggled to stick with the Buffalo Bills after being drafted in the first round at the 23rd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He played three seasons with the Bills, starting 12 games and playing in 29, before he eventually traded to the Cowboys.
Dallas didn't give up a lot to get him, moving back 30 spots in the 2025 NFL Draft and giving up a 2026 7th-round pick to acquire Elam.
More: Jets sign former Chiefs Super Bowl champion DT despite interest from contenders
But he struggled with the Cowboys, leading to his release on November 22nd. Less than a week later, the Jets hosted Elam on a free-agent visit.
Signing Elam wouldn't be the worst decision for the Jets, as at 2-9, their season is all but over, and figuring out if Elam has anything to give would help Glenn and Darren Mougey get a leg-up on the free agent market.
If Elam turns out to be something, it's a major win. But, if he struggles and doesn't stick on the Jets roster either, it was a flier well worth taking for the Jets at this point in the season.
John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell have worked out so far, and while Elam is a bit different, he, too, could bounce back in New York.
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