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

[PauleeeWalnuts]

3 minutes ago, Ben said:

can he tackle Tyreek Hill and Xavier Worthy? Like has been said he's here to cover burners. We haven't had a guy to do that in a while. Now get a 350 pound DT and the defense looks improved pretty dramatically.

Are there any big, difference making DT left?

[Ben]

Just now, PauleeeWalnuts said:

Are there any big, difference making DT left?

Collins from Texas, 6-5 335

[PauleeeWalnuts]

Just now, Ben said:

Collins from Texas, 6-5 335

I’d say that’s big enough lol

[GunnerBill]

18 minutes ago, Logic said:

As a fellow "we need a difference maker" guy, and one who also grants the difficulty of finding one at pick 30, I just wanna say...

Watching Hairston a bunch since last night, there are some game-changing type plays in his highlights. His eyes, instincts, trust in himself, and aggressiveness, combined with 4.28 speed, lead to him driving on the ball at times, picking it off and taking it to the house. When a 4.28 guy that's as aggressive as he is drives on it and picks it off, you're likely not catching him on his way to a house call.

So while most of the time the best way a corner can be a "difference maker" is to lock down his side of the field, there are occasionally guys -- Trevon Diggs, Deion Sanders, guys like that -- whose ability to intercept the ball and bring it back the other way can make a very direct and noticeable difference. And I'm definitely not saying Hairston is Deion Sanders. I'm just saying that he has some impressive plays on tape against top SEC competition, and I don't think it's crazy to think that there may be some pick-sixes in his future that swing important football games in the Bills' direction. The Bills having just one interception in the AFFCG of the variety that I saw Hairston make at times at Kentucky may have sent the Bills to the Super Bowl. 

Maybe it's the optimist in me, but I have hope that Hairston can be a legitimate playmaker. Here's hoping.

 

And that is why I like the compliment with Benford. He is gonna be really fundamentally sound, play his responsibility to the letter, be sticky in his coverage and sound in his tackling. And on the other side that means I can live with some growing pains Hairston's first year or two if he is a bit over aggressive and undisciplined at times in his pursuit and gives up a few big ones over the top because on the flip side he is going to make some plays for you, turn the ball over and score.

[ProcessTruster]

as long as he goes by "Max", I am good

[Saint Doug]

42 minutes ago, bills6969 said:

Love this kid already.  Looks like he’s going to be a strong leader on this team.

 

btw,  whats up with Abdul Carter showing no love to Max

Reminds me of Lamar Jackson after we handed him a loss. I just hope Max shows no love to AFC receivers. 

[Logic]

2 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

as long as he goes by "Max", I am good

 

Then boy have I got good news for you.

Not only Max, but MAD Max. Mad Max Hairston.

Can't beat that.

[GunnerBill]

47 minutes ago, bills6969 said:

Love this kid already.  Looks like he’s going to be a strong leader on this team.

 

btw,  whats up with Abdul Carter showing no love to Max

 

I think Carter was just doing a too cool for school vibe.

[DJB]

 

[Bray Wyatt]

4 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

as long as he goes by "Max", I am good

 

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

 

Then boy have I got good news for you.

Not only Max, but MAD Max. Mad Max Hairston.

Can't beat that.

 

Whats wrong with Maxwell??

 

[Coach Tuesday]

Can he return kicks and punts?

[iccrewman112]

15 minutes ago, DJB said:

 

this reminds me of the Stephon Gilmore draft video. Same incredible excitement and energy.
 

Trying to find the link on YouTube but when I search it says “video does not exist!”

18 minutes ago, Ben said:

can he tackle Tyreek Hill and Xavier Worthy?

He doesn’t have to tackle them if he doesn’t allow a catch in the first place. 
 

🤔🤔🤔

[boyst]

1 minute ago, iccrewman112 said:

this reminds me of the Stephon Gilmore draft video. Same incredible excitement and energy.
 

Trying to find the link on YouTube but when I search it says “video does not exist!”

if this guy could have a career to just hold Gilmore's jock than it will be a good career.

 

Gilmore has been one of the best corner backs in the league over the last 15-20 years.

 

this sort of bills fans re writing history is complete delulu.

[iccrewman112]

4 minutes ago, boyst said:

if this guy could have a career to just hold Gilmore's jock than it will be a good career.

 

Gilmore has been one of the best corner backs in the league over the last 15-20 years.

 

this sort of bills fans re writing history is complete delulu.

Gilmore has had a great career. Not questioning that.

 

I am referring to his “excitement” on draft day when the bill selected him.

 

find his actual pick video…

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by iccrewman112

[Mat68]

3 hours 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?

He led the SEC in picks in 23 but has trouble tracking the ball down field?  People are crazy.  Watch what he does to Texas with Bond and Golden.  Neither can run away from him.   

[Shaw66]

33 minutes ago, Logic said:

As a fellow "we need a difference maker" guy, and one who also grants the difficulty of finding one at pick 30, I just wanna say...

Watching Hairston a bunch since last night, there are some game-changing type plays in his highlights. His eyes, instincts, trust in himself, and aggressiveness, combined with 4.28 speed, lead to him driving on the ball at times, picking it off and taking it to the house. When a 4.28 guy that's as aggressive as he is drives on it and picks it off, you're likely not catching him on his way to a house call.

So while most of the time the best way a corner can be a "difference maker" is to lock down his side of the field, there are occasionally guys -- Trevon Diggs, Deion Sanders, guys like that -- whose ability to intercept the ball and bring it back the other way can make a very direct and noticeable difference. And I'm definitely not saying Hairston is Deion Sanders. I'm just saying that he has some impressive plays on tape against top SEC competition, and I don't think it's crazy to think that there may be some pick-sixes in his future that swing important football games in the Bills' direction. The Bills having just one interception in the AFFCG of the variety that I saw Hairston make at times at Kentucky may have sent the Bills to the Super Bowl. 

Maybe it's the optimist in me, but I have hope that Hairston can be a legitimate playmaker. Here's hoping.

Thanks for this. You've looked at a lot more tape than I have, obviously. Before I say more, let me congratulate you on your final draft analysis, for having come down to the conclusion that the Bills would be taking a corner at 30 and knowing who was on the short list. Nice job. 

 

I agree with your analysis. There's always the risk that a guy taken late in the first round just won't pan out, and we've seen that recently enough. I think that he that he probably will make it, and that he has some unusual upside. I think you are exactly right about this. If he's just number two to benford's number one, the pick will have been worth it. If he is a guy who makes people talk about Deion Sanders, the pick will be one of the best in Bills history. If he can be the kind of mental player that McDermott wants, McDermott will create multiple opportunities for Hairston to use his unique skill set. If that happens, a half dozen teams or more will wonder why they didn't take him earlier in the first round.

[Simon]

41 minutes ago, Logic said:

So while most of the time the best way a corner can be a "difference maker" is to lock down his side of the field, there are occasionally guys -- Trevon Diggs, Deion Sanders, guys like that -- whose ability to intercept the ball and bring it back the other way can make a very direct and noticeable difference.

 

Nate Clemens was also a guy like that early in his career before he lost that edge.

One of the few guys that can directly affect a scoreboard if you're not careful with the ball near him.

[Mat68]

2 hours ago, sven233 said:

 

I can understand where the confusion comes in with this.  I have been reading write ups that tell 2 different stories.  Some call him a zone corner.  Some call him a man corner.  

 

What I will say is, based on my tape breakdowns anyway, is that he is a very good zone-match CB with solid man coverage skills.  He did play off a lot matching switch releases reading the QB and then driving on the ball with his great speed.  But, there were plenty of times where they lined him up on an island and he played press man or played off a bit but used great trail technique to stay in the WRs hip pocket.

 

If you are interested to see a little bit of everything he does, including the good and the bad, go watch his game against Texas and watch him go against Golden and Bond.  He wins a bunch, but loses as well in man coverage.  There are also good examples of him in zone coverage where he recognizes the play and drives on the ball to limit RAC or force an incompletion.  You will also see him miss a tackle or 2 that led to bigger plays, but I do think at least one of those was a busted coverage or just a bad call.  Regardless, you will see him play in all types of coverages.  There is one play that really stand out int this game that showcases who he is as a corner.  He's lined up on Bond who looks like he is running a go but Bond sticks his foot in the ground and turns it into a post.  But, after initially getting beat, Max catches up to Bond very quickly (Bond runs in the 4.3s by the way) and high points the ball in the endzone and knocks it away.  It is just a beautiful play.  Maybe the throw could have been a bit better, but that's the way it goes and Max made the play.

 

So, what is he?  I'd call him an excellent zone-match defender with solid man coverage skills that can improve with proper coaching and adding a bit more weight to hold up better against certain types of WRs.  Hope this helps!

Imo it’s an easy fit.  Off man and zone is what kept Elam off the field.  He is very good at it.  

[JP51]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

 

Nate Clemens was also a guy like that early in his career before he lost that edge.

One of the few guys that can directly affect a scoreboard if you're not careful with the ball near him.

I think exactly that... Nate was a bit under appreciated IMO ... 

[SoonerBillsFan]

30 minutes ago, DJB said:

 

I love this kid already