BUFFALO -- The 2025 NFL draft wrapped up on Saturday night. The Buffalo Bills took cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 overall pick.
Here's a look at Buffalo's selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
My take: Cornerback was the biggest need, and the team was able to address it. General manager Brandon Beane emphasized Hairston's speed -- 4.28 40-yard dash, fastest at the NFL Scouting Combine -- and said he will add something the Bills don't have. Hairston has versatility, but the 21-year-old's size, 5-foot-11, 192-pounds is something to note, as Beane described him as a "willing tackler" who bounced off bigger players at times. "We'll continue to get him in our weight program and get him sturdy," Beane said. "But it's not from a lack of effort. And he's got the ... coverage skills, ball skills that you look for."
Will he start as a rookie? Maybe. Beane said that it will be an open competition for the role opposite Christian Benford after re-signing Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson. Hairston will have an opportunity to win the job, but Beane used the phrase, "if Maxwell's not ready," when describing the competition. This is a move to get a long-term answer at the CB2 spot, and pushing Hairston to get on the field for Week 1 isn't a necessity. But the opportunity to earn it is there.
Ties to the team to know: Hairston played with Bills running back Ray Davis, drafted last year, at Kentucky. "Tell Ray Davis I'm moving in," Hairston said. "...I'm just so happy to be reunited with him. That's a great teammate and I know that he's going to be someone that, hey, I can ask a bunch of questions with, and he's gonna help me out."
Round 2, No. 41: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
My take: The Bills traded up and addressed a significant area of need by selecting Sanders, moving up from No. 56 to No. 41 to do so. He lined up in multiple spots at South Carolina, providing versatility to the Bills' defensive line, and he has the potential to be a three-down player. Notable when it comes to the Bills is his ability as a pass rusher. Sanders had 8.5 total sacks over the last two seasons, with 7.5 of those coming lined up as a defensive tackle.
When will he be expected to get regular time? There's no doubt that Sanders is in line to see time this season, at minimum as part of the defensive line rotation, something that the Bills use heavily. He is not set to see playing time as a starter as general manager Brandon Beane said that they see him as primarily a three-technique who can also play one-technique, which will place him as more of a backup to Ed Oliver. He is also a selection for the future as the team invests in the line.
Round 3, No.72: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
My take: The Bills believe in building the team up front and that was on display for a second time this draft by adding Jackson. He brings elements to the team that can't be taught, notably his length (6-foot-6, 264-pounds). The Bills don't need Jackson to be a starter right away after adding Joey Bosa in free agency, but he is someone who could earn that role over time. He'll likely start out serving a valuable role as part of the defensive line rotation. In addition to getting after the quarterback, he had 20 run stops the last two years, tied for fifth by SEC defensive linemen.
What we're hearing about Jackson: General manager Brandon Beane: "High character, DNA. A longer athletic dude, a lot of sacks, went against a lot of premium talent in the SEC, and had a lot of production. ... I would say even tested better than I would have maybe even said. But this guy is smart, he knows how to rush, he has feel in there. He's not just an athletic guy. Like, he knows when the quarterback's stepping up. He's just got feel, instincts, awareness, he's tough, he's a dog. He's everything we want in a DNA of a D-lineman.""
Round 4, No. 109: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
My take: Walker becomes the third straight defensive lineman taken by the Bills and the third Kentucky player taken by the team in the past two years, equaling their total over the first 57 years of the common draft era. He brings size to the middle of the line at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds. Walker, 21, is someone who the Bills hope can develop and can add to the defensive line rotation as a backup. He played in multiple spots in college and had six tackles for loss since 2021 at one-technique, most in the SEC from that spot.
Round 5, No. 170: Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
My take: Hancock has experience playing at positions across the secondary, notably nickel and safety, providing the Bills defense with a player who has the capability to help in multiple spots.. He brings experience after playing in 42 games with the Buckeyes. Hancock projects as a potential special teams player with the Bills as well as someone who can be a backup on defense.
Round 5, No. 169 overall: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
My take: The Bills add their first offensive player of the draft in Hawes, 24, who is primarily a blocking tight end. He spent 2019-23 at Yale before transferring to Georgia Tech for his final college season. Hawes didn't have a blown block in 384 total plays in 2024. He can be the third tight end on the roster and develop behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, as well as potentially contributing on special teams.
Round 6, No. 177: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
My take: The Bills continued their stretch of addressing the secondary by selecting yet another corner. Strong played five seasons at Virginia Tech and can fit well in the Bills' scheme. He had considerable success specifically over the last two seasons in press coverage (212 coverage snaps), not allowing a touchdown, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 22% completion rate and 2.1 QBR. He will compete for a roster spot as a backup cornerback and as a special teams contributor.
Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt, T, UConn
My take: Lundt -- 6-foot-7, 304-pounds -- started 48 games at right tackle for the Huskies and allowed just two pressures and one sack in 2024. His 0.5% pressure rate was the second-best among right tackles in the FBS. He'll compete for one of the final offensive line spots. Lundt, who turns 25 in June, shared that he's been training at left and right tackle, so his potential ability as a swing tackle would improve his odds.
Round 7, No. 240: Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland
My take: The Bills added depth to the wide receiver room by taking Prather, the team's only wideout selection of the draft. Prather's size stands out -- 6-foot-3, 204-pounds -- as well as his "work habits," which were noted by general manager Brandon Beane. He had 162 catches, 1,966 yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 career college games at West Virginia and Maryland. Special teams will be an area that should help him try to make the roster.