‘We’ll learn in time if the Bills made proper use of those draft resources. Will Maxwell Hairston become an immediate impact starter at cornerback? Will T.J. Sanders provide the interior pass rush teams so badly covet? Will Landon Jackson be a contributor to the defensive line rotation as a rookie edge rusher?’
Archives for April 27, 2025
Maxwell Hairston’s journey from Michigan to Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick
‘“He’s the kind of kid who wants to take the last shot in basketball,” said Bellamy, now the receivers coach at Michigan. “In football, it’s, ‘Put me on the best guy.’ In track, he said, ‘I want to run the anchor (leg).’ He’s always been the guy who says, ‘Put the burden on my shoulders, I want to compete.’”’
Early hoop success gave hint of T.J. Sanders’ playmaking at defensive tackle
‘He didn’t start playing football until his junior year at Marion (S.C.) High School. Basketball was his main sport, and he was good at it, earning all-state honors his junior year after averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks per game.’
Buffalo Bills add more to defensive line with Deone Walker
‘The Bills traded up to take Walker with the Chicago Bears, acquiring pick No. 109 from Chicago in exchange for picks 132 and 169. Pick 109 previously belonged to the Bills, who traded it with Chicago on Friday.’
Bills select Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock in fifth round of NFL draft
‘Hancock, 21, is a 6-foot-0, 195-pounder who played in 42 career games during his four-year career at Ohio State. He was a member of the Buckeyes’ 2025 national championship team, and finished his career with 98 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and four passes defensed. He played 16 games and made 48 tackles and eight passes defensed in 2024.’
Bills select blocking tight end Jackson Hawes in fifth round
‘Hawes, 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds, spent five seasons in the Ivy League at Yale University before transferring for his final year to Georgia Tech. One of those years at Yale was the 2020 Covid season in which no football was played.’
At No. 177, Buffalo Bills select Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong
‘Strong, 23, said he had dinner with Bills cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae on March 26; the next day, at Virginia Tech’s Pro Day, Strong checked in at 6-foot, 6/8 inches and 186 pounds. He stood on his scouting combine 40-yard dash time of 4.50 seconds.’
Chase Lundt brings consistency, joining Bills offensive line
‘Lundt (6-foot-7, 304 pounds) turns 25 in June, and he is well versed in the game with 49 career starts. He missed just one game during his college career. Lundt played right tackle, but he said Saturday that he’s comfortable if asked to play left as well.’
Buffalo Bills round out draft with wide receiver Kaden Prather
‘General manager Brandon Beane said that Prather made a strong impression on Bills quarterback coach Ronald Curry, with Prather’s work ethic standing out in particular. Beane anticipated that Prather could carve out a role on the Bills via special teams.’
Buffalo Bills pick Deone Walker in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the massive DT
‘Walker brings exactly what the Bills’ defensive line has needed; size to clog up the middle against the run and drag blockers away from both Ed Oliver plus the back seven on run plays. His pass rush is not elite, but he did have 7.5 sacks in the 2023 season when he was named second-team All-SEC.’
Buffalo Bills pick Jordan Hancock in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the versatile defensive back
‘Hancock will come in and compete to provide depth behind Taron Johnson where right now, the main backup is utility player Cam Lewis. Hancock actually profiles similarly to Lewis in that he can play safety if needed.’
Buffalo Bills pick Jackson Hawes in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the TE
‘With Quintin Morris out testing free agency and apparently not coming back to Buffalo, the third-string TE right now is Zach Davidson behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Davidson is not a good blocker which the Bills covet in their in-line tight ends, but Hawes certainly was in college. That will be his path to the roster.’
Buffalo Bills pick Dorian Strong in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the CB
‘The strategy at cornerback is clearly to bring in as many candidates as possible and may the best man win. Now, Strong won’t have much of a chance staring up at first-round pick Max Hairston and veteran free agents Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson, but his goal should be to at least get on the practice squad and spend the season there, then compete for a roster spot in 2026 when White and Jackson will probably be gone.’
Buffalo Bills pick Chase Lundt in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the offensive tackle
‘Lundt will compete for a backup role at tackle with holdovers Ryan Van Demark, Tylan Grable and Richard Gouraige. It will be a tough haul for him to beat out Van Demark or Grable, but he could earn a place on the practice squad where he could develop.’
Buffalo Bills pick Kaden Prather in 2025 NFL draft: Scouting the WR
‘Prather will have a shot to find a place on the practice squad and who knows where it goes from there. If he can play on special teams, that would help his cause, but it’s rare when a seventh-round pick makes much of a dent.’