The Bills were once again on the cusp of making the Super Bowl this past season but ultimately fell to the Chiefs 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game. Buffalo continues to own the Chiefs during the regular season but it’s been a different story when the playoff lights come on.
So what should the Bills do from here? Do they continue to try and pack the offense with talent around reigning MVP Josh Allen, or do they look to the other side of the ball and decide that halting Patrick Mahomes and Co. would be an easier way to beat them than simply trying to outrace them on the scoreboard?
Well, with the 30th pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Bills pseudo-GM Matt Byham has decided to select Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston in hopes that the uber-athletic defender will help the Buffalo defense take that next big step.
30.) Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Byham: The Bills have several needs to address via the draft, but outside corner remains the utmost concern, just above defensive tackle. Given how the board developed and the number of DTs already selected before 30, landing Maxwell Hairston at the end of Round 1 feels like a major win. Hairston should immediately press to start at CB2 with Buffalo as a player with truly explosive burst and speed to stick with any receiver at the next level. His ability to play both zone and man coverage are a huge asset to Buffalo’s defensive system. Though perhaps undersized a bit, Hairston’s long arms and genuine knack for stealing the football will serve him well in the NFL.
Analysis: Hairston was a two-year starter for the Wildcats where he made a name for himself with six career interceptions in that span, including three of them returned for touchdowns. At 5’11 and 183 pounds, Hairston is not the most physically imposing player amongst the top cornerbacks but he sure may be the most athletic. With a 4.28 40 time and a 39.5” vertical, Hairston has the elite physical traits to thrive in any coverage scheme. However, he’s a massive liability as a run defender so whichever team ends up landing him will have to bear that in mind when plugging him into their secondary.
Top five remaining players:
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
- Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Kansas City Chiefs are now on the clock and there are two talented wideouts sitting at the top of our best remaining board. Both are great receivers, but not exactly in the same way. If the Chiefs want to continue giving Mahomes elite talent to throw to, then they can’t go wrong with either. If they choose to replace Joe Thuney up front, North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel is also still available.
