The Kansas City Chiefs ran into cornerback depth issues during the 2024 regular season, and their secondary struggled to play lockdown coverage against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach must invest in some new cornerback options in the 2025 NFL draft.
Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Maxwell Hairston is a slim 5’11 1/4″, 179 lbs redshirt junior with only 1,068 career defensive snaps under his belt. He missed a significant chunk of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury but led the SEC in interceptions during his healthy 2023 campaign. Hairston is a smooth athlete with impressive mental processing, vision, and closing burst.
Hairston lacks the reliable press technique to re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage consistently. However, his recovery speed and stickiness at the top of the route stem allow him to lockdown receivers when playing man coverage off the line of scrimmage. He makes quick adjustments to get in phase and stay attached to in-breaking routes.
Hairston’s ability to challenge or close throwing windows at the top of the stem on intermediate routes jumps off the tape. His quick deceleration, transition and closing burst help him remain attached through route breaks. He lacks elite downfield speed but possesses enough recovery speed to get in phase after losing a step early in the play.
Hairston’s processing and flashes of anticipation help him jump routes, especially when playing zone coverage. He stays disciplined in his zone and uses leverage to deter throws. Hairston occasionally gets caught with his eyes in the backfield and loses track of his assignment.
Hairston comes downhill to challenge runs and screens but lacks the play strength to provide consistent support. He struggles to stack and shed blocks.
Analysts can’t agree on an ideal draft positioning for Hairston. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler listed him as the 54th prospect and sixth-highest-ranked cornerback on his recent top 100 big board. The Chiefs could try to move up and grab Hairston toward the middle of the second round.