‘Grade: A’
BillsBeat - April 25, 2025
Bills stay put at No. 30, select Kentucky CB Hairston — fastest man at combine
‘For the first time in four years, the Bills elected to stay put in the first round and select Hairston, a 5-foot-11, 183-pound cornerback who is expected to come to Buffalo and compete for a starting job opposite the team’s top CB, Christian Benford. In each of the past three seasons, Buffalo had moved from its initial position in the first round. In 2024, the Bills traded out of the first round before selecting wide receiver Keon Coleman in Round 2. The two years prior, Buffalo traded up for tight end Dalton Kincaid (2023) and cornerback Kaiir Elam (2022).’
Bills add a jolt of speed to defensive backfield with Kentucky cornerback Max Hairston
‘Five months before the Bills selected Hairston with the 30th pick in the NFL draft, Hairston was sitting in the stands of Detroit’s Ford Field. Hairston grew up 30 minutes from Detroit and Kentucky teammate and Bills running back Ray Davis gave him tickets when the Bills visited in December.’
Where do the Bills go with two picks in the second round? Here are some options
‘The Bills enter the second day of the draft with the 56th and 62nd picks in the second round. They also have two fourth-round picks and three fifth-rounders to maneuver around if they choose.’
Maxwell Hairston just joined this group of Kentucky NFL draft first-round picks
‘Hairston missed five games due to an infection last season but still totaled 19 tackles, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups before forgoing his final season of eligibility to enter the draft. As a sophomore in 2023, Hairston tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns in his UK career.’
Maxwell Hairston goes to Buffalo Bills in NFL draft: What to know about former UK DB
‘Hairston ended his time at UK having appeared in 32 games, with 20 starts. He tallied 89 tackles (2.5 for loss) to go along with one sack, 10 pass breakups, six interceptions and three forced fumbles.’
'Let's go, Buffalo!': Bills use No. 30 pick on West Bloomfield product Maxwell Hairston
‘”I can’t believe what’s going on right now. I’m so thankful. I’m so blessed, man. I’m so happy to hear my name called,” Hairston said in a TV interview after he was drafted. “It’s truly a dream come true.’
Buffalo Bills draft West Bloomfield grad Maxwell Hairston in first round of NFL Draft
‘Hairston is the first former Oakland County player to go in the first round since Stoney Creek’s Eric Fisher was selected No. 1 overall out of Central Michigan University in 2013. (Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson, taken in last year’s first round, was born in Southfield, but played high school football at Canton.)’
Buffalo Bills address need at cornerback by selecting Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston 30th in NFL draft
‘What impressed Beane more, aside from filling Buffalo’s most pressing offseason need, was the 21-year-old’s ability to recover when he gets beaten in coverage. It was a quality evident in one play the GM and Hairston watched during their meeting at the NFL combine in Indianapolis two months ago.’
Jim Kelly reflects on why he 'decided to change my life' and turn to faith
‘”Unfortunately, it got to a point where my mother-in-law confronted me and said, ‘If you don’t change your life, you’re going to lose everything.’ And she was right. I manned up, I said, ‘I’m gonna lose everything.’ So, I changed my life… I totally admitted everything.”‘
Bills first-round pick Maxwell Hairston sends strong message to Josh Allen
‘”They’re getting someone who will get Josh Allen the ball back,” Hairston said with a big smile on his face.’
Bills take fastest player in 2025 NFL Draft
‘Buffalo drafted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who led all prospects with a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. The Bills now have their hopeful starter at cornerback – a long, fast guy who is ready to step in and make an instant impact.’
Bills pick Maxwell Hairston, with fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Draft
‘They just got the fastest one in the 2025 NFL Draft.’
Bills select cornerback Maxwell Hairston with 30th overall pick in 2025 NFL Draft
‘Hairston completed his college career as a two-year starter. He played in 32 games and started 20.’
Beane says Hairston gives Bills something they lacked at cornerback - speed
‘Three months later, they selected the player who ran the fastest forty yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.28) and led the SEC with five interceptions in 2023.’