Despite the addition of rookie Davison Igbinosun, Jim Leonhard reaffirms faith in former first-round pick Maxwell Hairston as a potential cornerstone for the Bills' secondary this season.
Jim Leonhard has a clear message for second-year cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
Speaking to the media last week during the team's organized team activities (OTAs), the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator was asked about how they view the former Kentucky Wildcat. After all, the team used an early draft pick on another corner this year in Ohio State's Davison Igbinosun.
Leonhard said that people shouldn't look too much into the decision, and that it was simply about having more depth on the roster. Hairston, he says, is someone they believe could be a big player for the team.
"We love Max. I was a huge fan of Max coming out of college," Leonhard said. "We’re not down on any of the corners we have. We needed depth, and I firmly believe you have to be able to rush the passer, and you have to be able to cover, and we needed more depth in the room."
Hairston had a rough rookie season with the Bills. After being selected 30th overall in 2025, he missed the start of the season after suffering a right LCL sprain in training camp. He returned to the field in Week 8, and played in 11 games, coming down with two interceptions and making 18 tackles.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury in Week 18, when depth at the position would've been nice for the Bills, ended his season before the playoffs.
Since recovering, Hairston has taken part in all of Buffalo's offseason work and is already leaving an impression on the first-year defensive coordinator.
“He’s high energy all the time,” Leonhard said. “He loves ball; he loves practice. Any little coaching point you give him on a one-on-one basis, he’s really into that. So, to me, the energy and the passion about football, and then obviously, he’s got high-level athletic traits."
Leonhard says the goal is to ensure Hairston stays healthy for the full year. He admits it'll be a challenge for the soon-to-be 23-year-old, but he's confident in his ability to "grow into that NFL body and be available every week."
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