Bills’ Signing Is One of Best CB Athletes in NFL Draft History

The Buffalo Bills struck gold in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston at No. 30 overall, a pick hailed as one of the most athletic in draft history. With blazing speed and explosive traits, Hairston bolsters a secondary desperate for playmakers, setting the stage for Josh Allen’s Super Bowl push.

Hairston, 21, redefined athleticism at the 2025 NFL Combine, clocking a 4.28-second 40-yard dash—the fastest ever by a cornerback—and a 39.5-inch vertical jump, second-best among CBs. His 10-foot-9 broad jump ranked third, earning a 9.68 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), placing him among the top 100 CBs tested since 1987. These metrics cement Hairston as a physical marvel.

“Hairston’s speed is game-changing,” Brandon Beane told The Buffalo News’ Ryan O’Halloran. “He’s a playmaker who tracks the ball like few others for Allen’s defense.”

In 2023, Hairston led the SEC with five interceptions, tying Kentucky’s record with three career pick-sixes. Despite a 2024 shoulder injury limiting him to seven games (19 tackles, 1 INT), his tape showcased elite instincts and zone coverage, baiting quarterbacks with a 22% completion rate allowed. His 6-foot-1, 186-pound frame adds length to Sean McDermott’s scheme.

“He’s a rare talent,” said NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks. “The Bills landed a corner who could redefine their secondary.”

Hairston joins a revamped cornerback room with Tre’Davious White, James Bradberry, and Christian Benford, but his speed and ball skills position him to compete for CB2 immediately. James Cook’s 1,086 rushing yards in 2024 will pair with a fortified defense, easing pressure on Allen’s 4,306 passing yards.

The Bills, with $5.3 million in cap space, saved $7.3 million by cutting veterans like Dane Jackson, paving the way for Hairston and eight other rookies, including T.J. Sanders and Landon Jackson. Beane’s offseason haul—Justin Simmons, Bradberry, Treylon Burks—complements Hairston’s arrival.

Hairston’s historic athleticism and playmaking flair make him a cornerstone for Buffalo’s 2025 title quest, challenging the Chiefs’ aerial attack. As training camp looms, Bills Mafia buzzes with excitement.