Bills’ September rookie report card starts with an asterisk

The Buffalo Bills still don’t know what they have in their first round pick this season.

Rookie CB Maxwell Hairston high-fives fans as he runs onto the field during day five of Buffalo Bills training camp. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In need of defensive help, the Buffalo Bills used their first five picks in the 2025 NFL draft on defensive players, beginning with Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

One of the stars of the NFL Combine, Hairston ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds, giving the Bills some much-needed speed in the secondary. Unfortunately, Hairston has yet to make an impact since a knee injury has sidelined him since training camp.

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For that reason, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon gave Hairston an “incomplete” in his first-round rookie report card for September.

”The Kentucky product has yet to make his regular-season debut due to a sprained knee, and it won't be easy to play a major role in 2025 considering how much time he's already missed.” - Gagnon, Bleacher Report

Hairston was initially feared to have suffered a season-ending injury, but received positive news when it was discovered he had an LCL sprain.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston enters the field during training camp at St. John Fisher University. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

There’s no word on when Buffalo expects Hairston back, but the timeline for his injury suggests he should be nearing a return. In his absence, late-round pick Dorian Strong has carved out a role, which has helped the defense tremendously.

Still, adding a ballhawk with game-changing speed is never a bad move, so the Bills are anxious to see what Hairston can do.

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