Latest news with #MaxwellHairston
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Advanced metric says this Bills rookie was 'favorite pick Day 1'
2025 NFL draft: Advanced metric says this Bills rookie was 'favorite pick Day 1' When an advanced metric is used or cited in affirming a player, it can be a good indication of what that individual may contribute in and beyond the numbers. In the case of Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, whom the Bills selected at No. 30 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft, he has a notable creator of one of those standards of measure in his corner. The mathematician behind the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) had an exciting assessment by way of his test results and advanced metrics upon Hairston being drafted by the Bills. Kent Lee Platte, who created the RAS , spoke about his evaluation of Hairston, following an NFL Combine testing and the Bills' draft selection. "My favorite pick day one in terms of the player, the team fit, and the profile is Maxwell Hairston," said Platte. "I've been higher than him than most, but that's kinda the point. He's a scrappy corner with top-tier athleticism who makes it his business to be all up in his opponents' business." RAS suggests the Bills drafted a physically elite performer, his 9.63 RAS (out of a possible 10.00) ranks 104th-best out of 2,761 cornerback prospects from 1987 through 2025. Though considered slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, has elite athleticism as is evident in his Combine performance. The defensive back ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28s) among all players there this year, and his vertical and broad jumps both were Top 3 marks among players at his position. According to RAS, Hairston's composite speed grade is "elite" as is his composite explosion grade. Maxwell Hairston Physical Profile Height: 5' 11"Weight: 183 lbsRAS: 9.63 (10.00)40-yard Dash: 4.2810-yard Split: 1.5Broad Jump: 10' 9"Vertical Jump: 39.5"
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Top Rookie Projected As Perfect Fit at Age 21
The Buffalo Bills used six of their nine draft picks in the 2025 draft on defensive players. This kind of talent infusion was found both in the secondary with Maxwell Hairston, and at edge with Landon Jackson. It's Buffalo's second round pick that might just have the most upside, though. Advertisement South Carolina's TJ Sanders was taken by the Bills with the 41st overall pick in the second round of April's draft. Sanders was a borderline first-round talent that fell to a playoff contending team like Buffalo's. And most analysts believe it's a perfect fit for both sides. Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports ranked his top 10 fits for rookies who were drafted and Sanders found himself ninth on that list. "While he's still not 22 years old, he had back-to-back seasons with a pressure rate over the magical 10% threshold in the SEC," Trapasso said. "He deploys his hands like an NFL veteran and can win with power or first-step quicks off the snap. The Bills have a history of developing linebackers and safeties. And another serious interior penetrating defender was needed next to Oliver. They got that with Sanders." Advertisement The Bills already have Ed Oliver controlling the interior of their defensive line, but were looking for more reinforcements against some of the best offenses in the league residing in the AFC. Sanders - who is 21 and who doesn't turn 22 until July - should be able to provide that help right away for Buffalo this season, and his fit could be far greater than a starting caliber contender. It could very well be as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro star. Related: Bills Fans Ready for Steinfeld's Next Step Related: Bills Ripped for Head-Scratching Signing Of Josh Allen Weapon
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Top Rookie Offers Good News Scouting Report in Camp
When the Buffalo Bills drafted Dorian Strong in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech two weeks ago, the team was hoping he could be another late-round steal that the team has become accustomed to enjoying. Back in 2022, the Bills drafted Christian Benford in the sixth round after already having selected Kaiir Elam with their first round pick in that same draft. Benford ended up being the better player, and worthy of a long-term extension this offseason. Advertisement Could the Bills be going through that again? Unlike Elam was back in his rookie year, 30th overall pick Maxwell Hairston is welcoming the challenge of a late-round contender in Strong. While speaking with the media, Hairston offered a scouting report of sorts on camp and said fellow cornerback Dorian Strong had a good day during Bills rookie camp, while also adding the two will "lean on each other and help each other get through this process." "Dorian Strong had a really good day today, just being somebody that, you know, I'm taking mental reps when I watch D. Strong. Seeing him go out there and play with poise and play like he's already adjusted, that was good to see." Advertisement Healthy competition is always important in the NFL. It separates the great teams from the mediocre and can help crown champions early on in the season. For the Bills, more competition means a better defense moving forward. And a chance to finally put an end to the Kansas City Chiefs' run of excellence in the conference. Related: Bills Sign Rookie With Maxx Crosby Role Model Goal Related: Bills 'Lethal Pairing' Key To Super Bowl Success?
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Free Agent Starter Predicted To Sign With AFC East Rival
The Buffalo Bills always appreciated the short time they had with cornerback Rasul Douglas over the last few years. The former Packer and Eagle was never the best cornerback in the league, but he always gave it his all. And in Sean McDermott's system on defense, he turned out to be an excellent fit for the group. Advertisement Now, with both Tre'Davious White back in Buffalo, and the team drafting Maxwell Hairston in the first round, Douglas' tenure with the team has all but come to an end. As he searches for a new home in the NFL, there are some cornerback-needy teams that could use his services. One of those are the Miami Dolphins. Pro Football Focus' Mason Cameron believes that Douglas would be an excellent fit for the Dolphins because of his schematic breakdown. "Rasul Douglas may be a name to target in Miami's Cover 2-heavy scheme (19.7%, third in NFL), a coverage he excelled in last season, having earned a 74.4 PFF coverage grade," Cameron wrote. Advertisement There is some truth to this. Douglas is a solid zone corner, and the Dolphins are expected to move on from Jalen Ramsey this offseason. It is also not like the Bills are going to be bitter about Douglas leaving for an AFC East rival. They are the ones who chose not to re-sign him, and it is up to the corner to find a new home if he wants to keep playing. That is precisely what Douglas is saying here. It's not a failure of loyalty on his part to face off against his former team twice in a year. It's just part of the business that has become the norm in the NFL. Related: Bills Sign Rookie With Maxx Crosby Role Model Goal Related: Bills 'Lethal Pairing' Key To Super Bowl Success?
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Draft Steal Loves College Brothers Joining Him
If there's one thing that the Buffalo Bills have tried to build over the last decade under Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, it's a culture of familiarity with players from across the league. That means surrounding incoming draft picks with players they know and trust. Advertisement The latest example of that came two weeks ago. Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was taken with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 draft. Three rounds later, the Bills went back to the Kentucky realm by selecting defensive tackle Deone Walker. Walker is a 6-7 specimen who has the ability to both stop the run and dominate in pass rushing reps. Playing with a former college teammate in Hairston, and last year's draft pick Ray Davis is something that excited the defensive tackle going into his rookie year. "I know Max told me as soon as he got drafted, he was standing on the table for me," Walker said via team reporter Maddy Glab. "…Max and Ray are like my brothers. A band of brothers who stick together, can't nobody stop you. So, it's just great to be back to being teammates with those guys." Teams drafting from one particular school is not unheard of. The Philadelphia Eagles are notorious for drafting defenders from Georgia over the last few years. Advertisement For the Bills to be focusing on Kentucky for their draft selections is not uncommon, even if it isn't from a top football program just yet, like the Bulldogs. The Bills are hoping that familiarity will help them in the long run, though. Related: Elijah Moore Takes Shot At Browns, Needs Bills' Josh Allen To Save Career Related: Bills Josh Allen Stands Alone as Optimism Key
