The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Buffalo Bills delivered a solid rookie class. Due to the Bills having some of the draft picks they did going into the event, there were some concerns on if they would miss out on some key talent. That was not the case at all. Brandon beane did a great job at working the board, making a few trades, and really attacking the defensive side of the ball.
Compared to last year's class, Buffalo had a solid class and there is a lot of confidence heading into training camp. With that, we take a look at the individual grades and one bold prediction for each newst member of the Bills.
Grading the Bills' 2025 draft class (with 1 bold prediction)
Round 1, No. 30: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Grade: B+
Bold prediction: Hairston finishes in top three for Defensive Rookie of the Year
The Bills got their hopefuly CB2 of the future in Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston. With a pressing need to find someone to help solidify the secondary, Hairston fixes that issue as he brings fantastic speed and has the ability to be a true zone-coverage ballhawk. It was very surprising that the Bills were able to get him without having to move up. Brandon Beane did a great job at being patient and now he has a great young secondary player to pair with Christian Benford.
Round 2, No. 41: DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
Grade: B
Bold Prediction: Sanders records 5+ sacks in 2024
The Bills took a big swing with trading up 15 spots to draft T.J. Sanders at No. 41. Adding Sanders to the Bills gives DC Bobby Babich another option for the trenches. Brandon Beane talked about how he can play both the 3 and 1-technique, giving the Bills versatility upfront (per Alex Brasky). Buffalo gets depth with Sanders, who has a high chance at becoming a starter sooner than later.
Round 3, No. 72: DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
Grade B+
Bold Prediction: Jackson leads Bills' rookies in TFL
I'm still in shock that the Bills were able to get Landon Jackson in the third round. He's a lengthy edge rusher who has solid tape from his college career. Since 2023, he ranks third in the SEC with 25 tackles for a loss. He knows how to contain the run and prevent a run from breaking to the outside.
He will join Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, and A.J. Epenesa is a heavy rotation for Buffalo's defense. Solid pick here for Beane.
Round 4, No. 109: DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
Grade: B
Bold Prediction: Walker becomes a starter during the 2025 season
Once again, the Bills trade up early from No. 132 to No. 109 (which they traded to the Bears the night before in Round 2) and selected a major boom-or-bust prospect in defensive tackle Deone Walker out of Kentucky. Walker is the second Wildcat that has been taken by the Bills and was the fourth SEC player the Bills took.
At 6-foot-7 and 331lbs, Walker is a massive player who can play over the center or on the guard to bring much needed run-support. He might be able to attract a double block which will allow Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano to fly into the gaps and make a play.
Round 5, No. 170: CB Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
Grade: C+
Bold Prediction: Makes the 53-man roster over CB Dane Jackson
The Bills continued their run on defense with cornerback Jordan Hancock out of Ohio State. Hancock was the second cornerback taken behind Maxwell Hairston. While this feels like a true backup pick, getting another corner from one of the top programs in the country was a smart move by Beane. After limited playing time in his first two seasons of college, Hancock was a full-time starter for the Buckeyes and is able to play inside and outside the numbers.
Round 5, No. 173: TE Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
Grade: D
Bold Prediction: Won't make the final 53-man roster
I'm not a fan of this pick whatsoever. It’s not because of who Hawes is a player, but the Bills didn’t need to get another tight end. They already have Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. While the Bills may be looking for a TE3, they were better off going to get a receiver for Josh Allen. Hopefully Hawes has success with the Bills, but picking him the 5th round seems like a reach.
Round 6, No. 177: CB Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
Grade: B
Bold Prediction: Strong records 2+ interceptions in 2025
Now this is a solid pick for the Bills, even though it's their third corner that they selected. Dorian Strong is a big corner (6-foot-1, 185lbs) and can play solid zone coverage. He's more of a press-man type of defender, but the Bills still need to get various corners with different games. The fact that Strong fell to the 6th round gives the Bills an opportuntiy to develop a hidden gem.
Round 6, No. 206: OL Chase Lundt, UConn
Grade: C
Bold Prediction: Will beat out Alec Anderson as the swing-tackle
The Bills get their first offensive lineman here with Chase Lundt out of UConn. Lundt has only missed one game in his career with Huskies. He has played at right tackle throughout his career so putting him as a potential backup to Spencer Brown gives the Bills an option to evaluate in training camp.
He has great run-blocking ability and he may even become a swing tackle as the Bills love to use a sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages.
Round 7, No. 240: WR Kaden Prather, Maryland
Grade: C
Bold Prediction: Prater will be a preseason fan-favorite
The Bills finally get themselves a wide receiver, but not until their last pick. At No. 240, Buffalo selected Kaden Prather from Maryland. Prather is a big reciever (6-foot-3) who ran a 4.4 at the combine. No one should expect Prather to be a star for the Bills. However, this is the perfect time for him to prove himself on special teams and maybe take advantage of the preseason to fight for a roster spot.