The Buffalo Bills decided that they were going to remake their secondary as they make another push for a championship, and they used a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston in order to make the speedy Wildcats alum one of the cornerstones of this new-look unit.
Hairston's rookie season nearly went up in smoke before he even did anything, as he suffered a concerning knee injury that made this entire fanbase hold their breath. Luckily for Bills fans, it looks like Hairston should be right as rain in just a few weeks.
Hairston's ACL was found to be intact after initial tests, which alleviated any concerns Buffalo had about a possible season-ending injury. Hairston was deemed to have suffered an LCL sprain, which could sideline him for a few weeks. However, it doesn't look like he is going to miss much, if any, regular-season time.
Bills rookie CB Maxwell Hairston avoids ACL tear after injury
Hairston, who picked off six passes during his final two seasons in Lexington, shot up draft boards after running a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash. The Bills were enticed by his feistiness and athleticism, which made up for concerns about his frame and tackling ability in the open field.
Hairston is expected to be one of the two starting outside cornerbacks alongside Christian Benford, all while Taron Johnson continues to perform in the slot. Old friend Tre'Davious White is back, but he will likely be used more as a depth piece than as any serious threat to Hairston's status.
The Bills would like to get their top young defensive back in the lineup as soon as possible, as they begin the season against another Super Bowl contender in the Baltimore Ravens before a pair of hard-fought divisional matchups against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo is putting a great deal of pressure on Hairston to be as good as advertised right out of the gate. If he is unable to meet those lofty expectations, which might be a result of his inability to get fully healthy when Week 1 rolls around, this could have an impact on Buffalo's record.