The Buffalo Bills still have yet to bring in some help in their secondary during free agency, but hopefully that changes here soon. Even if they bring in veteran help, don’t think that Brandon Beane won’t bring in even more young defensive backs through the draft next month.
Since 2018, under Beane’s regime, the Bills have drafted nine secondary players and they have drafted atleast one prospect every single draft. Bills fans can expect that trend to continue. They’ve only drafted a defensive back once in the first round, which ended up being Kaiir Elam who has become a bust.
With Rasul Douglas more than likely on his way out of Buffalo, the Bills are going to have a big need at cornerback. Outside of Christian Benford, the Bills don’t have another outside the numbers corner that can hold down a receiver one-on-one. Taron Johnson is a great nickel corner, but he is mainly used against slot receivers.
Don’t be surprised to see the Bills draft a cornerback on the first night of the draft. If one falls to them or if Buffalo sees one falling down the board and trades up, Brandon Beane will do what he needs to do to improve this position.
CBS Sports mock draft has Bills drafting CB Maxwell Hairston from Kentucky
Garrett Podell from CBS Sports created a mock draft that has the Bills drafting Kentucky cornerback, Maxwell Hairston.
"Maxwell Hairston lit up the combine with a 4.28 40-yard dash and a nearly 40-inch vertical (39.5 inches). He would also fit well in head coach Sean McDermott's scheme. Buffalo is set to lose Rasul Douglas in free agency, and the Bills can replace him with even greater athleticism."Garrett Powell, CBS Sports
There’s no question that the athleticism is there with Hairston, who had a phenomenal breakout 2023 season with the Wildcats. He recorded 5 interceptions (2 defensive touchdowns), and 66 total tackles. He didn’t have that type of season last year, but he still was very solid despite missing time with a shoulder injury.
Hairston can play both man-to-man and zone coverage which allows the safety to roam around. The Bills need to pair someone opposite Benford if Hairston is available at No. 30 overall, it wouldn’t be a shock to see his name get called to come to Buffalo.