It was no secret heading into the 2025 NFL Draft that the Buffalo Bills needed to address their secondary, and that’s what they did by selecting Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 overall selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hairston immediately endeared himself to Bills Mafia by showing off his energetic personality on the draft stage.
“Buffalo, they’re getting the ultimate competitor, the ultimate teammate,” said Hairston to ESPN after getting drafted. “And they’re getting somebody who’s gonna get Josh Allen the ball back. Let’s get to work!”
Hairston will immediately become a key player in the Bills’ secondary and he’ll get to learn from veteran Tre’Davious White. It’s a dream situation for the young cornerback and for the Bills’ defense.
Maxwell Hairston Scouting Report
Cornerback, Kentucky
Age 21: (08/06/2003)
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: No. 39
Pre-Draft Round Projection: No. 2
In a unique cornerback class with a lot of talented players, the lack of consensus is good for a player like Maxwell Hairston. A three-star recruit out of high school, Hairston played his entire career with the Wildcats, showcasing his strong ability on the outside. Standing at 5’11” and 183 pounds, size feels like a detriment, but he plays with enough physicality to where you aren’t as concerned about the size. It’s especially important because he is this draft class’s fastest player with a 4.28-second forty-yard dash. It shows up on tape with his ability to recover and attack the football. Overall, Hairston projects to be a solid pro with ability to play inside or out. — A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness
Career Projection: Eventual Good Starter