The Dallas Cowboys have made a strategic move by acquiring cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills, bolstering their depth in a position critical for their defensive scheme. After losing Jourdan Lewis to Jacksonville and with Trevon Diggs recovering from a knee injury, this acquisition fills a pressing need. Elam, a former first-round pick, struggled in Buffalo, but his past performance shows promise with a passer rating against of 72.3 during his rookie year. He is eager to prove himself and feels that the Cowboys' coaching staff believes in his potential.

Elam has expressed frustration with his lack of opportunities in Buffalo, where he only started 12 games in three seasons. Now, with Dallas, he anticipates a chance to compete for a starting role, especially at nickel and outside corner. His versatility and respect for teammates like Diggs and DaRon Bland could enhance the Cowboys' secondary. Elam's determination to seize this opportunity reflects a motivated player ready to shine.

Jacksonville Jaguars made significant moves during the NFL free agency, signing nine new players with the intent of strengthening their roster. General Manager James Gladstone emphasized the importance of raising the team's floor while maintaining salary cap flexibility. Key signings include WR Dyami Brown, QB Nick Mullens, and CB Jourdan Lewis, among others. Although these additions contribute to a robust roster, cap hits for 2025 have been strategically allocated to ensure long-term financial viability.

With $45.26 million in available cap space, the Jaguars currently hold the eighth-most in the league. This strong position allows room for potential future acquisitions as they prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. Gladstone has indicated a focus on giving rookies ample opportunities to showcase their talents, which may limit further veteran signings at this stage.

The Dallas Cowboys face a challenging offseason with the departure of slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a lucrative three-year, $30 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Lewis was not a marquee name in the secondary, his versatility, with 10 career interceptions and nearly 10 sacks, was crucial to the defense. The Cowboys will need to find a capable replacement as they lack depth at the cornerback position.

Potential options include veteran Kendall Fuller, who brings extensive experience in both the slot and outside corner positions. Another alternative is Mike Hilton, a strong run defender but not fitting the Cowboys' typical profile. Lastly, Artie Burns, despite injury issues, has shown promise when playing and could be a wildcard in filling the void.

Jourdan Lewis has officially joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on a lucrative three-year contract worth $30 million, which includes an impressive $20 million guaranteed. This makes him the highest-paid nickel cornerback in the NFL. In 2025, Lewis will have a base salary of just $2 million, along with a prorated signing bonus of $3.33 million, culminating in a cap hit of $5.81 million. This amount will rank as the 12th-largest on the Jaguars' roster.

As his contract progresses, his salary will see a significant increase. In 2026, his base salary will rise to $9 million, with an $8 million guarantee, leading to a cap hit of $12.83 million. The final year of his contract in 2027 will see a base salary of $7.5 million and the same prorated signing bonus, resulting in an $11.33 million cap hit. The Jaguars could opt out of the contract at this point, saving $8 million in cap space, offering them flexibility in managing their roster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken a new approach this offseason, opting for a series of strategic low- and mid-tier signings rather than their previous splashes in free agency. Key additions include Patrick Mekari at guard, Dyami Brown—a young receiver to complement Trevor Lawrence, Jourdan Lewis for the slot, and Eric Murray to fill the void left by Andre Cisco. General manager James Gladstone emphasized the need to create positions for their 10 upcoming draft picks, hinting at a roster overhaul focused on youth and development.

This shift in strategy marks a departure from past tactics where the Jaguars sought high-profile talents such as Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff. Gladstone believes that enhancing the team's baseline with reliable, known commodities will elevate the overall performance, creating an environment conducive for incoming rookies to make an impact. The Jaguars will likely lean heavily on the draft for talent infusion, presenting a unique opportunity for these new players to secure starting roles come fall.