2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston
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Maxwell Hairston | CB | Kentucky
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 183 lbs
Draft Projection: Late 1st / Early 2nd Round
Notable Accomplishment: 2023 Second-Team All-SEC
Pros: Hairston was one of the top corners in all of college football in 2023, and as the draft nears, his stock continues to resurge. Despite being undersized, Hairston finds creative ways to stay with bigger receivers down the field and get in position to make a play on the ball. His speed is all that makes the headlines, but if you turn on the tape, you will see the well-roundedness of this guy in coverage. Whether it be zone or man, Hairston possesses the right balance of instincts and athleticism needed to truly be schematically versatile. His footwork is smooth, and his hips are incredibly loose and fluid. Those two traits allow him to backpedal effectively in coverage, and when putting into account his eye-popping change-of-direction smoothness and speed, it is evident why he can cover so much ground in so little time.
Cons: Although Hairston can compete in any coverage scheme, he lacks the size and physicality to press effectively at the NFL level. Adding a little weight to his frame will not only help him in press coverage, but it may also allow him to get more looks as an outside corner long-term. His best tape came as a boundary corner, which was his primary position in college. However, if he remains below 185 pounds, he is going to struggle against NFL-level physicality on the perimeter. Due to that lack of size, Hairston would not grade out well as a run blocker on just about any level. Open-field tackling is a major area of concern for him, and it is something he must improve upon before seeking a starting position in the NFL.
Overview: Hairston is a talented corner with CB1 upside, but durability and size concerns could keep him out of Round 1. When at his best, he is easily a top-32 player in this draft, but recency bias could overshadow his outstanding 2023 season. Nonetheless, I firmly believe he will be taken within the top 50 selections.
NFL Comparison: Jason Verrett
