Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott both talked about adding speed and playmaking ability to the roster at their end-of-season press conferences back in January.
Three months later, they selected the player who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.28), and led the SEC with five interceptions in 2023.
With the 30th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Bills chose University of Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
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Beane says the Bills had a chance to trade their pick when they were on the clock to teams that wanted to move up, but they had a first-round grade on Hairston and elected to stay put.
"You love when the grade matches the value and matches the need," Beane said following the Hairston pick on Thursday.
Hairston will compete for a starting cornerback spot opposite Christian Benford, who signed a four-year contract extension this offseason. Hairston will get a four-year rookie deal, and the Bills will have a fifth-year option on him.
The team could conceivably pair the two for the next five seasons in Western New York.
He also joins a cornerback room with veterans Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson, who both re-resigned with the club this year, as well as Ja'Marcus Ingram and veteran slot cornerback Taron Johnson.
"He gives us something we don't have in that room: Speed," Beane said.
The biggest knock on Hairston, whose nickname is "Mad Max," is his play against the run. Beane called him "a willing tackler," and said "it's not for lack of effort."
The Bills general manager adds Hairston will get bigger and stronger in the team weight program, which will help his ability to play the run at the NFL level.
Hairston has scheme versatility, as he's able to play both zone and man-to-man.
