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

[Sierra Foothills]

 

Select the "Watch on Youtube" option.

 

Understanding it’s not football per se but just a workout… but still awesome. Flips hips effortlessly, backpedal is blazing, change of direction is instantaneous, high points the ball, great hands…

 

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

I could never get behind using a 1st rd pick on a 1 technique when there is a premium position who runs a 4.28 available. This team needed speed, it shows up every year in the playoffs, and can find a fat guy later. 

I could if the player was a true 3 down pocket disruptor like a prime Fletcher Cox and that's what I hoped we'd get in Grant

 

But you're right that if what we want is a 2 gapping run stuffed so Oliver, Groot and Bosa can tee off then there are still options to be had

[Sierra Foothills]

3 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

He is the same size as Trent McDuffie, and it does not seem to affect his game.  

 

If you watch the Youtube workout I posted above you'll see his measurables are almost identical to Denzel Ward's, who the Browns selected 4h overall in 2018 and has made 4 Pro Bowls.

 

[MJS]

8 hours ago, DJB said:

 

Wait, that is bad, right? Wouldn't you want low yards per coverage snap allowed?

[Cray51]

Watched some of his tape this morning - the thing that looked like a WOW trait - closing speed downhill.  He isn't sticky like Benford, he is a guy who just has that extra gear that he can switch to faster than anyone else to close down gap.

 

Watch him turn and come downhill - it's VERY good.  He looks different than other players.

[SoonerBillsFan]

5 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Why are some “experts”  calling him a man to man corner and others saying zone

 

which is it? Both?

Yes

[MJS]

Just now, Cray51 said:

Watched some of his tape this morning - the thing that looked like a WOW trait - closing speed downhill.  He isn't sticky like Benford, he is a guy who just has that extra gear that he can switch to faster than anyone else to close down gap.

 

Watch him turn and come downhill - it's VERY good.  He looks different than other players.

The Bills were TERRIBLE at defending the quick passing game last year. Everyone was killing us with it. This guy should help and he should be able to jump routes.

[fergie's ire]

8 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

He is the same size as Trent McDuffie, and it does not seem to affect his game.  

Yes, and if he does win the starting job but Bills need a big corner situationally, they can always sub in Tre because he's...let me see...oh wait... nevermind.

[fergie's ire]

6 minutes ago, Cray51 said:

Watched some of his tape this morning - the thing that looked like a WOW trait - closing speed downhill.  He isn't sticky like Benford, he is a guy who just has that extra gear that he can switch to faster than anyone else to close down gap.

 

Watch him turn and come downhill - it's VERY good.  He looks different than other players.

Yes, and I find it interesting that in many ways he seems like the anti-Kaiir. Kaiir was very sticky and physical. The concerns were that sticky was actually grabby and that if he didn't lock on he wouldn't be able to close. (Valid concerns as it turns out.)

[Charles Romes]

6 minutes ago, MJS said:

The Bills were TERRIBLE at defending the quick passing game last year. Everyone was killing us with it. This guy should help and he should be able to jump routes.

Savvy ‘ol Tre is also a good answer to the quick passing nonsense. 

[Gregg]

19 minutes ago, RichRiderBills said:

 

I'm more worried about the Ravens and yes- the Chiefs. The chiefs ran all over us. 

 

I just hope someone in the AFCW can challenge the Chiefs and win the division so if the Chiefs do make the playoffs, then they have to go in as WC. The Ravens are the best team in the AFCN so I doubt anyone will challenge them for it. 

[eball]

7 hours 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 

 

Gotta get the papers, get the papers…

 

 

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Maybe already mentioned but His cousin is Taiwan Jones

 

Different Taiwan.  No relation to our guy.

 

Anyway…per usual, the draft day takes at TBD do not disappoint.  Everybody’s an expert, lol.

 

It was as clear as day that the Bills needed to get some speed and athleticism in their secondary — check.

 

They love character guys who are great in the locker room — check.

 

No reason to trash this pick.  We’re all rooting for him to succeed and there is no denying it was a pick that also fills a need.

 

Go Bills!

 

[Simon]

18 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Select the "Watch on Youtube" option.

 

Understanding it’s not football per se but just a workout… but still awesome. Flips hips effortlessly, backpedal is blazing, change of direction is instantaneous, high points the ball, great hands…

 

 

Those hips 

 

(get yer minds out of the gutter, creepers!)

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I will be irrationally upset to make the board normal again!

 

*Ahem*

 

I'm not in love with it. I don't think CB was the dire need people have painted it, and I would have much preferred someone in the trenches. That said, DL was pretty picked over and Golden & Starks were gone. With a major drop on CBs, Hairston is probably darn close to BPA and *does* fill *a* need, even if it's not as critical as I think some believe it to be.

 

That said, a three way battle of Hairston-Tre-Dane for the CB2-4 rankings seems to make is one of the deepest CB groups in the league

I never am a student of the draft, but my view of the Bills needs was the same as you. I wasn't desperate to get a high end corner, in part because McBeane have done so well putting solid corners on the field without spending a lot on them.  

 

But I also agree with you that if Hairston can start, the Bills have a very nice corner room.  Of course, a few years ago I was typing "If Elam can start," and we know how that went. It isn't easy to play the corner the way McDermott wants it played. 

[YoloinOhio]

Just now, eball said:

 

Gotta get the papers, get the papers…

 

 

 

Different Taiwan.  No relation to our guy.

 

Anyway…per usual, the draft day takes at TBD do not disappoint.  Everybody’s an expert, lol.

 

It was as clear as day that the Bills needed to get some speed and athleticism in their secondary — check.

 

They love character guys who are great in the locker room — check.

 

No reason to trash this pick.  We’re all rooting for him to succeed and there is no denying it was a pick that also fills a need.

 

Go Bills!

 

Oh ok nfl.com said Taiwan jones of the ny jets, I assumed it was our guy bc I thought he also played for the jets but I mixed him up with Ty Johnson 

[Doc]

I like it.  Good height, great speed which is lacking in the secondary and seemed to be psyched to be drafted by the Bills.  

 

Move Tre to Safety.

[SCBills]

The way the board fell, I think the Bills made the right decision going CB (regardless of whether they truly did have a RD1 grade on Hairston or not)

 

It seems Amos would’ve been the safe pick.  A guy most believe would slide in as a reliable CB2 to Benford. 
 

Hairston is Buffalo drafting a guy who we hope meets the moment in an AFC Championship Game.  A certified playmaker.  
 

Theres more to be concerned about with his size than other potential picks at that spot, but drafting Hairston is an attempt to add a weapon to the Defense.. not just a defender. 
 

Edited 22 hours ago by SCBills

[jcamm1966]

If he is not Elam I am very happy

[Mat68]

8 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

No way he should've fallen this far because of turf toe?  Max is still an excellent pick.  Now let's go DT hunting tomorrow. 

Idk where I heard it.  I listen to too much draft pods. I think Mcshay.  Rumor is a degenerative/chronic knee problem.  Career is expected to be shortened.  I expect day 2 he goes but a time bomb sort of speak.  

[Mister Defense]

Phew..

 

No viable 2nd  outside corner to start before the draft, so I assume the Bills see him as a day 1 starter, almost guaranteed, or they would not have picked him.  If not, it was likely going to be Tre White or Dane Jackson!  Yikes, as maybe the season ends before it begins. (Words that would have stoked terror in most Bills' fans: "Today Tre White will be covering Jamar Chase", or Tyreek Hill, or Nico Collins or, well fill in the blank.)

 

Now let's hope the Bills can get Mad Max ready to go. Young, fastest man at the 2025 combine, aggressive, skilled, high energy, and, most importantly, ready to learn and take his game to the next level.

 

But the Bills now need to get another corner with starting potential, as corner is a position that is prone to injuries--and the Bills do not have a viable backup to play outside corner when a starter goes down.  I think maybe they parlay a slew of  late picks for one in round 3, and go and get him. If not, round 4 at the latest.

 

 

Edited 22 hours ago by Mister Defense