Maxwell Hairston enters training camp as Buffalo's projected starter, but the Bills' latest draft pick could push him every step of the way.
Maxwell Hairston may enter training camp as the favorite to start opposite Christian Benford, but I don't think he should feel too comfortable.
Not because Hairston hasn't shown flashes. He has.
His performance against Kansas City last season showed exactly why the Buffalo Bills believe he can be a long-term starter. The speed is there. The athleticism is obvious. When healthy, he's looked like a player capable of handling a significant role in Buffalo's defense.
The problem is that potential only gets you so far.
This is a big year for Hairston, and I don't think the Bills are going to hand him anything. That's especially true after they used a second-round pick on Davison Igbinosun.
General manager Brandon Beane has often said you can never have too many cornerbacks, and he's right. Injuries happen. Teams are playing with three and four corners on the field more than ever before.
But there's also a difference between drafting depth and drafting competition.
Second-round picks aren't typically brought in just to develop for a few years. They're expected to compete right away. That's exactly what Igbinosun will be doing once training camp begins.
And from everything we've heard, he won't be backing down from that challenge.
He's known as an ultra-competitive player who believes he belongs on the field. That's the mentality you want from a young cornerback, especially one joining a defense that has consistently emphasized competition under the new coaching staff.
That doesn't mean Hairston is about to lose his job.
If he plays the way the Bills believe he's capable of playing, this conversation probably ends before Week 1. But if he struggles during camp or preseason, there may not be as much patience as some fans expect.
The Bills have another option, and it's an option they invested heavily in. That should motivate Hairston more than anything.
Competition brings out the best in players, and the Bills have built their roster that way for years. Positions aren't won because of draft status or past performances. They're won because someone proves they deserve them.
Hairston has the inside track entering training camp next month. Now he has to keep it.
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