Bills First Rnd pick in 2025 draft: Maxwell Hairston - CB - Kentucky

[billsfan89]

I like the pick. Harmon/Grant/Nolan were all gone at DT the value was at DE and CB and the team took the CB which you could argue was the teams biggest need. I like what the Bills could do at in round 2 at DE and DT or WR. Cross CB off as a need nice move just wish one of the better DT’s fell.

[BigDingus]

1 minute ago, JerseyBills said:

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

Best CB in the draft, his upside is incredible 

 

[Maine-iac]

3 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Fine against statues. But remember the NfL today… no more statues

 

Your not wrong but your chances significantly increase if he hasn't already thrown the ball in the first 2 and 1/2 seconds.

[Thrivefourfive]

3 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

Your not wrong but your chances significantly increase if he hasn't already thrown the ball in the first 2 and 1/2 seconds.

The two QBs drafted, and Milroe all run like bats outta hell. I’m just sayin’. Those guys slip into the lineup pushing out older stiffer QBs. 
 

I’m rooting. Like that that Seattle CB a few years back. Cam Lewis is my guy on the Bills because of his size and fight. Hopefully Hairston is that needy along with the speedy 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Thrivefourfive

[hondo in seattle]

6 minutes ago, dje85 said:

Dion Dawkins liked the pick go to 3:28:05 of the draft kings video (posted) Dawkins was being interviewed screamed happy and jumped in his pool happy about the cb pick.

 

 

 

That was hilarious!

[ExiledInIllinois]

Played lots of zone...

[GASabresIUFan]

From ESPN

Quote

 

30. Buffalo Bills -- Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Why they picked him: Cornerback was one of the Bills' biggest needs coming into the draft, and by selecting Hairston in the first round, the team addresses the long-term future at cornerback opposite Christian Benford. Hairston played a significant amount of zone in college, which fits the defense, and in his three seasons at Kentucky, Hairston had twice as many picks (six) as passing touchdowns allowed (three) in coverage. Hairston has speed -- running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) at the NFL combine.

Biggest question: Is Hairston's health a concern? The corner sat out five games in 2024 because of a shoulder injury but general manager Brandon Beane said that "he's back" as far as the Bills know and should be ready to participate this spring. He was not as effective a tackler when he returned for the last three games of the season, missing five tackles in those games, as many as he had in his previous nine games combined. The Bills also brought back veterans with experience in coach Sean McDermott's defense in Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson this offseason, but Hairston should be in a competition for a starting role -- Alaina Getzenberg

 

 

From the Athletic

Quote

 

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Bills absolutely needed help in the secondary, and Hairston is fast and competitive enough to hold up on the outside or in the slot. He’s an absolute burner (4.28 40 at the combine) and, despite his light frame, is a long corner (near 32-inch arms). This is a quality pick — and right about the range where Hairston figured to go.

Now, should he have been selected over Will Johnson? There are speed and health concerns surrounding the former Michigan star corner, but this will be an interesting one to monitor.

Grade: B

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by GASabresIUFan

[K D]

10 minutes ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

 

Will johnson is only 3" taller and 11 pounds heavier. Also I guarantee Johnson isn't running a 4.28- 40 time. Also people keep mentioning his tackling yet he was on special teams at Kentucky so he must be at least decent at it.

Johnson is a future pro bowler. Someone is going to get a steal

[Shake_My_Head]

59 minutes ago, Buddy Hix said:

Speed is a nice change in the secondary. But man, he’s tiny, like how’s he gonna tackle anyone?

Same size as Denzel Ward.

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I mean...if this regime knows a position its CB...so I think with this staff and Tre mentoring, this kid just landed in a great spot to reach his potential.

 

That's what I said when the Bills selected Kaiir....

[gonzo1105]

37 minutes ago, MJS said:

They added speed with Elam. So your wish should have already been granted!

 

Yea the difference was I knew that Elam sucked look back at all the threads when we drafted him and how negative this board was towards me

[Alphadawg7]

1 minute ago, Beck Water said:

 

That's what I said when the Bills selected Kaiir....

 

Fair...but also no one bats 1.000, so cant hold that against them too much.  And Elam's problem I think stems a lot more from scheme fit than anything.  And I think they banked on his commitment and study obsession to be better that they could coach up his raw areas in zone and help correct his handy nature.  Then Benford emerging I think also cut off opportunities and development.  

 

Hairston is not a scheme square peg they need to change his game to fit to what we want to do.  So I think the chances of success here are much higher than taking a guy like Elam and trying to change his style to fit ours.  

[Dan Darragh]

I assume his nickname is "The Silver Hammer"

[Maine-iac]

1 hour ago, Buddy Hix said:

Speed is a nice change in the secondary. But man, he’s tiny, like how’s he gonna tackle anyone?

 

Would have rather taken Johnson and risked the injury concern.

 

Oh well, good luck, kid.

White played fine at 5'11" and like you I was worried about size but word on the street is that he's already put on 10 pounds which was music to my ears.  

[Low Positive]

The strong opinions on this board always surprise me. Who the heck knows? I remember the negative reaction to the Bernard and Benford picks and look how that turned out. This guy is fast and has a good attitude. I wanted Grant or Amos, but what do I know? Now, use the two 2nds to move up and get a DT. Then the rest of the draft is gravy. 

[OZBILLS]

This guy any good? Or are we going to revert to a practice squadder to start over him at some point?

[paulmm3]

Greg Cosell came on the 45min of post draft coverage I watched and said one team he spoke with earlier today said Hairston had better tape at CB than Travis Hunter

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

25 minutes ago, K D said:

Johnson is a future pro bowler. Someone is going to get a steal

I gotta be honest I don’t really like Johnson for the chiefs matchup which is frankly all that matters at this point.  Feels like there’s both injury and athleticism concerns at play here 

 

he’ll probably excel against teams with less speed at wr but idk how much that helps us even if you could guarantee his health 

 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[SoonerBillsFan]

Some former All Pro CB is only 5'11, and weighed under 180lbs at the combine,  and didn't run a 4.28 40.  Oh yeah... Tre White.

[BillsFanForever19]

Ray Davis IG story (sadly no one's reposted it to a Tweet) is a really good watch.

 

https://www.instagram.com/stories/hbk_ray/3618275287888920602?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=emQ1bnJ4bjlyM3ly