The Bills have nine new players on their roster following the 2025 NFL Draft. Six of those players call defense their home, while the other three play on offense.
Every new pick spoke with the media after being drafted and had a lot to say about why Buffalo is the right home, which players they can’t wait to lineup with and their excitement about becoming an NFL playerThe Bills drafted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston with their first pick in this year’s draft. Hairston is known for his speed as he ran the fastest time (4.28) at the NFL Scouting Combine.
‘Mad Max’ is Hairston’s nickname, and the cornerback finished with six career interceptions in 20 starts. He’s excited to bring his versatility to Buffalo.”I feel like I’m so versatile that I can come out, play man, or I can play zone, I can play off-man, I can play press-man, I can disguise,” Hairston said. “So, I’m happy to just be able to go into an organization with a beautiful scheme that will allow me to get the ball back.”
Hairston doesn’t just have a knack for getting the ball back. He also has a knack for scoring. The CB turned six of his career interceptions into three touchdowns. Hairston grew up playing basketball and believes that helps him be a ballhawk in football. He’s looking forward to meeting another ballhawk in Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.
“I can’t wait to learn,” Hairston said. “I can’t wait to pick his brain. Man, that’s a vet, and I know he’s gonna teach me so much.”
Hairston has learned a lot from his family as well. On draft day, Hairston had his entire family with him in Green Bay to celebrate the big moment. His family also joined him on his first day as a Bill at One Bills Drive. The cornerback says he will continue to rely on them as he transitions to the NFL.
“Their support really is what keeps me going,” Hairston shared. “They keep me level-headed, never let me get too high or too low. And I always got my family through thick and thin. If I have a bad game, if have a good game, I know I can always rely on my family.”Features
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May 03, 2025 at 08:00 AM
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Buffalo Bills draft pick T.J. Sanders tours the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 26, 2025.
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Buffalo Bills draft pick T.J. Sanders tours the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 26, 2025.
The Bills have nine new players on their roster following the 2025 NFL Draft. Six of those players call defense their home, while the other three play on offense.
Every new pick spoke with the media after being drafted and had a lot to say about why Buffalo is the right home, which players they can’t wait to lineup with and their excitement about becoming an NFL player.
Get to know Buffalo’s 2025 draft class.
NO. 30 (1ST ROUND) – CB MAXWELL HAIRSTON, KENTUCKY
The Bills drafted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston with their first pick in this year’s draft. Hairston is known for his speed as he ran the fastest time (4.28) at the NFL Scouting Combine.
‘Mad Max’ is Hairston’s nickname, and the cornerback finished with six career interceptions in 20 starts. He’s excited to bring his versatility to Buffalo.
“I feel like I’m so versatile that I can come out, play man, or I can play zone, I can play off-man, I can play press-man, I can disguise,” Hairston said. “So, I’m happy to just be able to go into an organization with a beautiful scheme that will allow me to get the ball back.”
Hairston doesn’t just have a knack for getting the ball back. He also has a knack for scoring. The CB turned six of his career interceptions into three touchdowns. Hairston grew up playing basketball and believes that helps him be a ballhawk in football. He’s looking forward to meeting another ballhawk in Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.
“I can’t wait to learn,” Hairston said. “I can’t wait to pick his brain. Man, that’s a vet, and I know he’s gonna teach me so much.”
Hairston has learned a lot from his family as well. On draft day, Hairston had his entire family with him in Green Bay to celebrate the big moment. His family also joined him on his first day as a Bill at One Bills Drive. The cornerback says he will continue to rely on them as he transitions to the NFL.
“Their support really is what keeps me going,” Hairston shared. “They keep me level-headed, never let me get too high or too low. And I always got my family through thick and thin. If I have a bad game, if have a good game, I know I can always rely on my family.”
Related Links
Buffalo Bills 2025 Draft Grades & Analysis
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2025 Bills NFL Draft Tracker
NO. 41 (2ND ROUND) – DT T.J. SANDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA
In the second round, Buffalo drafted defensive tackle T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina. Sanders is known for his pass-rush ability on the interior and put together 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss during his four years with the Gamecocks.
The DT is excited to bring his high effort style of play to Buffalo.
“I think I bring a high motor,” Sanders said. “A guy who gets after it every snap. Someone who doesn’t quit on games, quit on plays…it’s a non-stop mentality.”
Like Hairston, Sanders has a basketball background first. He earned All-State honors his junior season in high school and averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. Sanders transitioned to football full-time late, so he has only six true years of experience under his belt. Beane and the scouting staff believe Sanders has high upside.
What got Sanders hooked on the game of football was getting sacks.
“I just felt alive getting that first sack and after that I just wanted more and more sacks,” Sanders said thinking back to high school. “And getting a scholarship to do that for college, now getting a chance to do that in the NFL, just going out there getting a sack, disrupting players, that’s the joy you get from playing D-line.”Sanders is already feeling at home in Buffalo.
“I met about everybody, the D-line coach, the DC, head coach, owner, GM, just getting to know everybody,” Sanders said of his first day in the building. “I’m feeling the family vibe already. I kind of feel like this is exactly what I was looking for.
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