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

[HamptonBillsfan]

Was injured for most of the season, trouble locating the ball downfield and is not great at tackling. Scouting report indicates he will struggle with big receivers. This guy’s not a first rounder.  What happened to the big swing with the extra pick. Between his insistence on alienating Cook and this wasted pick, I’m hoping Beane’ stubbornness and the fact he can’t draft defensive backs is his only weakness. Having Elam and Bishop on his resume doesn’t instill confidence.

[Mat68]

A zone corner is usually that because of physical limitations.  Having zone instincts with his athletic ability is a rare combination.  With the top DTs gone this is a homerun.

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

Was injured for most of the season, trouble locating the ball downfield

 

He missed 5 out of 37 games in his college career with a single upper body injury on his resume.

When he was healthy last season, he led the SEC in interceptions.

But yeah, he's an injury risk and can't locate the ball because you read that somewhere. 

 

[nedboy7]

 Hairston had 19 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, four passes broken up, and one interception. He went out in late September with a shoulder injury but returned late in the season. Hairston helped himself with a good performance at the Senior Bowl and had an electric 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine. Hairston was superb in the field drills as well. He could stand to add some weight for the NFL, but Hairston is a fast and fluid defender. Sources say he is the best man-to-man cover corner in the draft.

[Motorin']

7 minutes ago, SCBills said:

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. 
 

 

Agree that Amos was the safer pick. Harriston has a bit more risk due to perceived lack of size / ability to stay healthy. But higher reward with play making ability. 

 

Personally thought Amos was a prototypical cb in McDermott's defense. Here's to Maxwell's ability to turn the ball over and stay on the field!

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Mat68 said:

A zone corner is usually that because of physical limitations.  Having zone instincts with his athletic ability is a rare combination.  With the top DTs gone this is a homerun.

 

If the board would have fallen differently with DTs, then I don't know if Hairston would have been the pick. But this seems like a good pick as they add speed to the secondary and it fills a need.

[Dunkirk Donski]

5 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

Was injured for most of the season, trouble locating the ball downfield and is not great at tackling. Scouting report indicates he will struggle with big receivers. This guy’s not a first rounder.  What happened to the big swing with the extra pick. Between his insistence on alienating Cook and this wasted pick, I’m hoping Beane’ stubbornness and the fact he can’t draft defensive backs is his only weakness. Having Elam and Bishop on his resume doesn’t instill confidence.

Horrible take

[frostbitmic]

Unlike the draft where the Bills chose Elam (last CB standing) They had their choice of Amos, Revel, Morrison and Will Johnson, The Bills chose Hairston. I'm looking forward to seeing this kids speed and break on the ball, if he can catch, watch out.

 

I believe Tre' will be the starter at first but I think Hairston will prove he needs to be on the field quickly. We know McD prefers his rookies on the bench.

 

Now get us a big space eating 1T DT (think fat Pat Williams) and the D-Line will look much improved.

[Captain Hindsight]

9 hours ago, RiotAct said:

has his own clothing line?  We’re doomed.

Yeah, our wallets for sure

 

Well, except @HOUSE

[Mat68]

2 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

Was injured for most of the season, trouble locating the ball downfield and is not great at tackling. Scouting report indicates he will struggle with big receivers. This guy’s not a first rounder.  What happened to the big swing with the extra pick. Between his insistence on alienating Cook and this wasted pick, I’m hoping Beane’ stubbornness and the fact he can’t draft defensive backs is his only weakness. Having Elam and Bishop on his resume doesn’t instill confidence.

Johnson and Benford count or no?  Cant listen to one report and take it as gospel.  Many think he will be very good.  
 

https://youtube.com/shorts/8T0A69UiFbI?si=46YeSORXz7-oF45R

[HamptonBillsfan]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

 

He missed 5 out of 37 games in his college career with a single upper body injury on his resume.

When he was healthy last season, he led the SEC in interceptions.

How about the scouting report that he’ll struggle with big receivers and needs to improve tackling and locating the ball downfield. That doesn’t sound like a 1st rounder. If you don’t care about injuries why wouldn’t you take the Michigan corner?

[Dunkirk Donski]

Just now, HamptonBillsfan said:

How about the scouting report that he’ll struggle with big receivers and needs to improve tackling and locating the ball downfield. That doesn’t sound like a 1st rounder. If you don’t care about injuries why wouldn’t you take the Michigan corner?

The poor tackling knock is simply not true and a very lazy take.  

[stevewin]

8 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

He needs to put on 10 lbs to weight the same as Tre at the combine. 

 

I think he can be a difference maker, just hope he can put on a bit of muscle and start healthy. 

At his PC Beane said he already has gained some weight and is "in the 190's"  Was confident some time with Bills staff would add muscle without sacrificing speed 

[nedboy7]

 

[Simon]

4 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

How about the scouting report that he’ll struggle with big receivers and needs to improve tackling and locating the ball downfield. That doesn’t sound like a 1st rounder. If you don’t care about injuries why wouldn’t you take the Michigan corner?

 

Since you're relying solely on others' opinions, you could have easily chosen to make an observation about his unreal athleticism.

Instead you're just borrowing trouble because you didn't like the pick even though you know nothing about him.

[BarleyNY]

9 hours ago, HappyDays said:

Super clean fit for our scheme IMO. Put him in off coverage and let him read and react. Elite speed and can break on routes like no other CB in the class. In the modern NFL where the quick passing game is king his skill set is extremely valuable.

Hairston was one of the players where I questioned his fit with the Bills. In his case it’s obviously not his coverage I am worried about, but the run support/tackling issues he has had. Seems as though that would have been a deal breaker for McDermott and his scheme. What are your thoughts on this?

Edited 22 hours ago by BarleyNY

[stlbills13]

The Bills want someone with elite traits. They got it. 

[BearNorth]

9 hours ago, Mr. Wonderful said:

Looks undersized to me.  Could spell trouble in the red zone.  Guess I will have to trust the process. 

Antoine Winfield was undersized, but a feared tackler, played 14 years in the league.

[mjt328]

After watching the previous 8 drafts, it's pretty clear how Brandon Beane operates.  

He zeroes in on our biggest need.  If options on his board are dwindling down, he will attempt a small trade-up of maybe 5-10 slots.  If he's got a bunch of prospects rated about the same, he will consider moving down - but only enough where he can still get one of them (see Keon Coleman last year).

 

The only year that our 1st Round Pick wasn't completely obvious was in 2023.  That year WR was our biggest need.  Things looked to be falling our way, and then suddenly the four top receivers went 20, 21, 22, 23... leaving the cupboard completely bare.  So Beane pivoted to Dalton Kincaid, which was about the closest thing left as a top receiving weapon for the offense.  

 

For the last month, it's been very clear that CB was our top need.  Somehow people talked themselves into believing the Tre White signing would change that.  Not sure why.  They had multiple CBs in for visits that were expected to go late 1st/early 2nd.  Hairston was one of them, along with Trey Amos, Shavon Revel and Benjamin Morrison.  Barring some kind of weird run on the position or somebody really crazy dropping, one of those guys was always going to be the pick.

 

[stevewin]

8 hours ago, Logic said:

 

Didnt realize the missed time from shoulder "injury" was mostly because of an infected needle at the hospital - that's crazy