Cincinnati Bengals Should Bolster Defense By Claiming Former First Round Pick
Kaiir Elam to the Bengals?
Cincinnati should certainly be interested in the former first round pick. Elam was waived by the Cowboys last week. A team that claims him will take on the $1 million he's guaranteed for the rest of the season.
The Bengals should consider claiming the former first round pick. He's only 24-years-old. They had interest in him ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. This is also the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay off in the future.
Elam's situation is a bit more complicated than Emmanuel Forbes' was last season. Forbes was still on his rookie deal. The Bengals didn't put in a waiver claim for Forbes, even though they should've. It was a no-brainer at the time. Of course the former first rounder is shining for the Rams.
Elam will be a free agent this offseason. The Bengals could still bring him in and see what he has over the final six weeks of the season—especially considering their injuries at cornerback.
Cam Taylor-Britt (foot) is likely out for the season. Marco Wilson suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday against the Patriots.
The Bengals will likely sign a cornerback anyway. They might as well kick the tires on a promising 24-year-old that has taken his lumps in his first four NFL seasons, but clearly has talent.
The Bengals have had success adding former first round cornerbacks in the past. Why not do it again? Especially considering the injuries in that room. Elam can be another option at outside corner.
Some may dismiss the idea since the Bengals are 3-8, but they need to add a cornerback regardless just to make sure they have enough depth over the final six weeks of the season. They might as well bring in a guy that at least has a chance of helping them this season and in the future.
Elam has 29 tackles in 10 games (seven starts) for the Cowboys this season. The Bills took him 23rd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Buffalo traded him to Dallas in March. Elam has 110 tackles, seven passes defensed and two interceptions in 39 career games with the Bills and Cowboys.
"Pete Carroll’s Defiant Message to Raider Nation: ‘We’re Just Facing a Bump—We’ll Get Back on Track’
Following a disappointing loss that left the Las Vegas Raiders at a crossroads in their season, head coach Pete Carroll addressed his team and Raider Nation with a message of confidence and resilience. “We’ve got the talent, and we’ve got the drive. Sure, we’ve hit a bump, but that's all it is—just a bump,” Carroll declared. “We know exactly what we need to do to get back on track, and we’ll get there, for our fans, for ourselves, and for Raider Nation.”
Carroll’s words come after the Raiders struggled in a tough game that exposed weaknesses across the roster. While many pundits and fans were quick to point to the team’s failures, Carroll’s perspective was clear: setbacks are part of the journey, but they don’t define the team’s future. Instead of allowing the loss to derail their season, Carroll and the Raiders are focused on regrouping and continuing the fight.
Carroll, a coach known for his leadership and ability to inspire, has seen his fair share of adversity over the years. From his time with the Seattle Seahawks to his current role with the Raiders, Carroll has cultivated a mindset that embraces challenges rather than running from them. His words serve as a reminder to his players that the road to success is never without obstacles, but how a team responds to those challenges is what truly matters.
“We have the pieces,” Carroll continued. “We’ve got the talent, the work ethic, and the commitment. It’s about putting it all together and staying focused on what we can control. We’ve been through tough situations before, and we’ve come out stronger on the other side.”
Carroll’s belief in his players’ ability to rise above adversity is contagious. The Raiders, although down in the standings, are still very much alive in the playoff race. But they will need to refocus and execute at a higher level to make a legitimate run. With a coach who exudes unwavering confidence and a roster filled with talent, the Raiders’ future is still within their grasp.
Looking ahead, Carroll’s leadership will be key in steering the team back on course. The players will need to buy into his vision and trust the process. With games remaining in the season, the Raiders have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves, and Carroll’s message is a reminder that the best is still ahead. The bump in the road may have slowed them down, but it’s not the end of the road.
As the Raiders look to recover from their setbacks, one thing is certain: Pete Carroll’s defiant message has reignited the belief that they are more than capable of getting back on track and making a strong push for the playoffs. The road to success won’t be easy, but with the right mentality and leadership, there’s still plenty of hope for Raider Nation.
