2 weeks Ago
The Buffalo Bills needed a cornerback. The 24th-ranked pass defense extended Christian Benford and let free agent Rasul Douglas walk. GM Brandon Beane then recently brought back a former Bills 1st rounder, Tre'Davious White on a one-year deal.
Add in Taron Johson and that's the Bills corners. So it was no surprise when Buffalo's GM Brandon Beane selected Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 pick in Round 1.
At least half the mock drafts over the last month made the prediction and it came true. The question is — was it a good pick? Hairston is blazing fast and sudden, running a combine-best 4.28 in the 40-yard dash and hitting a 39.
5" vertical leap. In 2023, Hairston started every game and had five INT's and led the team with six pass break-ups on the way to earning 2nd Team All-SEC honors. In 2024, however, Hairston missed missed five games with a shoulder injury.
At 5'11" and 183 pounds, one of the concerns about Hairston is his durability. He also doesn't have a reputation as a corner that likes contact — perhaps because his size doesn't necessarily allow him to get the best of it. Hairston could conceivably have trouble against bigger wide receivers in the NFL.
Furthermore, one thing that Bills' head coach Sean McDermott and Beane have maintained is that Buffalo's corners need to be physical in run support. Hairston hasn't proven to be that player. Hairston has top-shelf speed, yes, but that does not do he or the organization any good if he's hurt or can't come up and make the tackle at a crucial moment.
The opportunity cost of a first round pick is too great to spend it on a player with that glaring of a downside. — Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI — More Buffalo Bills News: Buffalo-area All-American underdog talks 'chip on shoulder,' outstanding Bills' pro day Buffalo Bills line up with under-the-radar Round 1 pick by NFL analyst Bills GM Brandon Beane reveals level of concern with WR Keon Coleman Buffalo Bills predicted to aggressively trade up for 'impact' defensive player in draft Buffalo Bills named top landing spot for 'polarizing' All-American playmaker.
