Chiefs add defensive back Kaiir Elam after trading Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs signed Kaiir Elam on Thursday to provide some help at defensive back, where they traded 2023 All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and lost fellow starter Jaylen Watson in free agency.

The 24-year-old Elam was the 23rd overall pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 draft, but the former Florida star has largely failed to live up to expectations. He split last season between the Cowboys and Titans and has 114 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 19 starts and 43 games covering his first four seasons in the league.

The Chiefs announced the deal with Elam, but the terms were not immediately available.

Kansas City has veteran Kristian Fulton and youngsters Nohl Williams and Kevin Knowles on the roster. The addition of Elam takes some of the pressure off selecting a cornerback early in the draft, where the Chiefs have two first-round selections.

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