Earlier this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys made an unexpected move by trading a compensatory fifth-round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for cornerback Kaiir Elam. Once a first-round selection himself, Elam was brought in to help strengthen a Dallas secondary that had some clear areas of concern.
The pick the Cowboys traded was No. 170 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many fans were curious about what Buffalo would do with that selection, especially given the value Elam once held. That question was answered when the Bills used the pick to draft Jordan Hancock, a cornerback from Ohio State.
This trade essentially became a cornerback-for-cornerback exchange. While Elam has experience in the league, Hancock offers potential as a young prospect. It remains to be seen which team benefits more in the long term, but both clearly saw an opportunity to address needs in their secondary.
In addition to Elam, the Cowboys also received a seventh-round pick from Buffalo, which they still hold going into the later stages of the draft. That pick, No. 204 overall, could offer Dallas another chance to add depth or uncover a hidden gem.
Overall, the trade shows how the Cowboys are using creative approaches to bolster their roster—swapping draft capital for proven players while still maintaining flexibility later in the draft. Only time will tell how this move pans out for both Dallas and Buffalo.
