The Bills bring in a high-character, charismatic young man whose ability and talent electrifies a football field every snap.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane well-understood his assignment in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. With several needs on the defensive side of the football, Beane and the team’s front office let the board shape it’s way to sending the best talent at a position of need their way.
On a night that began as expected and featured plenty of defensive line prospects exit the green room in the first round, that meant there would be plenty of enticing cornerback talent for Buffalo to pick from. While many Rumblers openly called for Beane and company to select cornerback Will Johnson, it wasn’t to be (perhaps unfairly for him as rumors about a chronic knee condition doomed his evening).
When the time came, instead of trading back with a team perhaps looking to draft quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Bills stayed put and sent in their card with Maxwell Hairston’s name on it. Now the cornerback out of the University of Kentucky will do everything in his power to soak up all the knowledge possible from Tre’Davious White.
If Hairston is anywhere near as quick with a playbook as he is a sprinter, look out. At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Hairston ran a 4.28 40-yard dash, which should afford him plenty of opportunity to make game-changing breaks on the football.
Hairston played almost exclusively on the boundary as a man-cover corner, and he excelled at creating costly turnovers — with six interceptions and three pick-sixes in two seasons as a starter for the Wildcats. Though an “island cornerback” first, Hairston has also shown proficiency playing zone coverage.
Some dock Hairston for his smaller size and perceived lack of ability in run support. Those concerns may prove unfounded once Hairston settles into an NFL weight room and nutrition program.
Buffalo needed a true playmaker at cornerback, and they found one at just the right time. The best news is that Hairston doesn’t necessarily have to start right away. While there are concerns about White’s ability after two catastrophic injuries and a lot of NFL mileage, Hairston will have to earn his spot on the depth chart, whether that’s CB2 or not.
You may recall that I selected Hairston for Buffalo at pick 30 in the 2025 SB Nation NFL mock draft. Interestingly, as was the case in that mock, just two cornerback were drafted ahead of Hairston. With so many defensive linemen being taken early, it wasn’t the right moment for Buffalo to take a DT or EDGE rusher — during the mock, or in reality.
I felt confident in the selection of Hairston then, and feel the same way now. I don’t see Hairston’s size as detrimental given his production at Kentucky. Additionally, if the Bills continue rolling out zone looks on defense it should help Hairston in situations against large receivers.
I said the following of Hairston when selecting him at 30:
“The Bills have several needs to address via the draft, but outside corner remains the utmost concern, just above defensive tackle. Given how the board developed and the amount of DTs already selected before 30, landing Maxwell Hairston at the end of Round 1 feels like a major win.
Hairston should immediately press to start at CB2 with Buffalo as a player with truly explosive burst and speed to stick with any receiver at the next level. His ability to play both zone and man cover are a huge asset to Buffalo’s defensive system.
Though perhaps undersized a bit, Hairston’s long arms and genuine knack for stealing the football will serve him well in the NFL.”
In time Hairston could prove to be one of Beane’s best picks, if he’s given the time and opportunity to learn and develop. A young man of high character who brings a healthy bit of personality to everything, Max Hairston might just be a perfect fit with the Bills.
Welcome to Bills Mafia, Max!