To no surprise, the Bills have gone the cornerback route with their top pick. Buffalo has selected Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston at No. 30 overall. A relatively new-look secondary will now feature the former Wildcat in 2025. 
Hairston put himself on the map with a school-record three interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2023, but he followed up the five-pick campaign with only one interception and five passes defensed in an abbreviated 2024, though that singular pick was also returned for a score.
Hairston’s ball-skills draw the most attention, but he works with a keen awareness of how the defense around him is unfolding. Obviously, the shoulder injury that caused him to miss five games last year is something to watch moving forward, but as long as he stays healthy, the Bills have landed a playmaker on the outside.
Buffalo relied heavily on Christian Benford in 2024 as Rasul Douglas and Kaiir Elam — both since departed — returned middling campaigns. The team brought back a familiar face in free agency in Dane Jackson, but Jackson didn’t fare much better than Douglas and Elam during his time in Carolina. Hairston should be able to slide into a starting role as a rookie, but if he needs a bit of time to develop, another familiar, veteran face, Tre’Davious White, should be able to hold down the position to start 2025.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.