'He's got elite feet' - Brian Schottenheimer breaks down why Cowboys' trade is already paying off big time in training camp

It's still early in training camp but one Dallas Cowboys defender is making sure he's listed with the winners out of Oxnard, California: Cornerback Kaiir Elam. 

The former first-round draft pick is proving right the narrative laid out about him throughout the offseason: A different scheme would bring his best play of his NFL career.

So far, Elam has done that, starring in multiple highlights of practice, including an impressive interception on Saturday in which he basically ran the route for wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. 

Kaiir Elam is working with 'elite' traits 

On Monday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed Elam's progress and mentioned the veteran cornerback has elite traits to work with.

"He's one of those guys that he's got elite feet, elite change of direction, but I see him growing in the mental side of it," Schottenheimer said. "I see him talking and studying splits with [cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II]. Change of scenery helps a lot of people."

Schottenheimer added Elam has a chip on his shoulder after being traded away from the Buffalo Bills. For Kaiir, it's now about staying consistent and build upon a strong foundation to start in the regular season. 

"He's been the same guy since he's got here," Schottenheimer added. "And he's playing with confidence." 

Elam is projected to start at outside cornerback

With Trevon Diggs expected to miss the start of the regular season, Elam is looking like a lock for the starting lineup in September. But he's received such high praise from his team early on that it seems like he has a chance of staying in the lineup even when Diggs returns. 

That could mean the Cowboys keep DaRon Bland in the slot to get the "best three" playing at cornerback. In OTAs and minicamp, Bland has spent time there instead of outside, where he started the last couple of years. 

Dallas is no stranger to making low-risk, high-reward bets on former first rounders that didn't pan out early in their careers. But they might cash in this time around.