BBNFL Week 8: Maxwell Hairston makes NFL debut: "It was so much fun!"

Welcome to the NFL (finally!), Maxwell Hairston. The Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick out of your University of Kentucky had to sit patiently on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury he suffered in training camp. Now, in Week 8, the man who hugged every single pick before him in the NFL draft green room, made his own NFL debut, and he did not disappoint.

Hairston rotated series with fellow cornerback Tre White as the Bills looked to ease him into playing time. Of his 27 snaps on the field, 12 of them were pass plays where Hairston was in coverage, and the Carolina Panthers did not target the former Wildcat once. It was probably smart.

Mad Max recorded one tackle in his first game, a great play to blow up a screen for minimal yards. He later said it felt great to put pads on someone else. He finished as the highest-graded defensive back on the Bills and the 4th-highest defensive player overall.

After the game, Hairston raved about how much fun he had, “It was so much fun. It had to be, like, one of the funnest moments of my life. I had so much fun out there. Like, I felt free.”

This man could have a side hustle by bottling up his relentless positivity and selling it for big bucks. I, for one, would take the largest glass it comes in.

This play by Maxwell Hairston 😳#BuiltInBuffalo | #GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/qaPThEXyYC

— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) October 27, 2025

Houston waived Brenden Bates, and Cleveland immediately picked him up

NFL roster moves can come at you fast. Brenden Bates spent training camp with the Cleveland Browns and found a place on their practice squad to start the season. However, once the Houston Texans came calling with a spot on their 53-man roster, the former Kentucky tight end was happy to oblige.

Then, just eight days after the Texans wished him a happy birthday on X, the team waived him on the eve of National Tight Ends Day. That’s not the best way to celebrate either occasion; however, his old friends in Cleveland were there to pick him up. Literally. The Browns claimed Bates off waivers, so he will now head back to Cleveland to lend his talents.

Bates was the second tight end the Browns signed on Monday, as the team also brought in Caden Prieskorn to their practice squad. This has led to rumors that the Browns may trade nine-year veteran David Njoku before the November 4th deadline, as rookie Harold Fannin Jr. has seized the starting job. If so, Bates could be in line to be the Browns’ backup tight end.

We've claimed TE Brenden Bates via waivers and waived CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 27, 2025

Other BBNBA Notes:

• Luke Fortner received his first start as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Fortner played all 72 offensive snaps for the Saints at center and performed admirably, not allowing a sack all game. The Saints struggled against the Bucs in a blowout loss, but it was good to see the former ‘Cat get some significant playing time once again, especially at his natural center position. Previously, Fortner filled in a play or two here and there at guard.
• Wan’Dale Robinson led the Giants in receiving yards once again, though Jaxson Dart did manage to spread the passes around to his receiving corps a little more evenly this game. Robinson caught three of his four targets for 48 yards, but the G-Men did not have enough firepower to beat the Eagles.
• Ray Davis received the most rushing attempts of the season against the Panthers, but unfortunately could not find any holes. He finished with just 16 yards on those nine carries and did not haul in his only target in the passing game.

BBNFL snap counts and stats for Week 8

(ST): Special Teams snaps; player did not play on offense or defense.

Player	POS	Snaps	Stats
Luke Fortner (NO)	C	72	1 pressure allowed
Carrington Valentine (GB)	DB	62	3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 pass breakup
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)	WR	51	4 targets, 3 rec, 48 yards
Trevin Wallace (CAR)	LB	45	1 QB pressure, 4 tackles, 2 assists
Deone Walker (BUF)	DL	36	4 QB pressures, 1 tackle
Dru Phillips (NYG)	DB	31	1 QB pressure, 2 tackles
Maxwell Hairston (BUF)	DB	27	1 tackle
Bud Dupree (LAC)	LB	25	2 QB pressures, 1 tackle
Ray Davis (BUF)	RB	15	9 rushes, 16 yards, 1 target, 0 rec
Brandin Echols (PIT)	DB	9	3 tackles
Chris Rodriguez (WAS)	RB	2	1 rush, 2 yards
Darian Kinnard (GB)	OL	1	0 pressures allowed
Josh Hines-Allen (JAX)	LB		Bye Week
Brenden Bates (CLE)	TE		Inactive
Bryce Oliver (TEN)	WR		Inactive
Josh Paschal (DET)	DL		Injured
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (LV)	DB		Injured
Landon Young (NO)	OL		Injured
Will Levis (TEN)	QB		Injured