Draft Buzz: Maxwell Hairston receives invite to 2025 NFL Draft

Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston celebrates a touchdown - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been one of the biggest winners throughout the entire pre-draft process. Despite missing five games in 2024, NFL organizations seem to have the defensive back ranked highly thanks to strong athletic testing, good positional length, and terrific ball skills. That should lead to Hairston not waiting long on draft weekend.

Could the Greater Detroit native be a first-round lock? The NFL seems to think so. Hairston has received an invited to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Source: Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston has also accepted his invitation to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Hairston is a projected 1st round pick. https://t.co/fENsBOHadd
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 16, 2025

The Kentucky product could become the first cornerback in program history to come of the board in the first round. Hairston will be at the event to get a photo with Roger Goodell whenever he comes off the board. What a rise for the former three-star recruit.

As the draft slowly inches closer, Maxwell Hairston is not the only Kentucky player receiving some attention.

Buffalo Bills host Deone Walker for visit

There was a time when Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker looked like a lock to become a first-round case. That will not happen on draft weekend. Will Walker go off the board on Day 2 or will he be one of the top prospects available on Day 3 when the fourth-round begins?

The three-and-done had to play through a significant back injury as a junior and brings a unique skill set as a pass-rush first defensive tackle at 300-plus pounds. But teams are interested. The Buffalo Bills hosted Walker for a visit on Tuesday.

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The athletic testing went poorly for Walker in the pre-draft process but the sophomore tape was excellent and there is real versatility that he can bring to an NFL defense. That could be good enough to secure a Day 2 selection.

Kentucky DT Deone Walker could be a difference maker in the trenches 💪@deonewalker0 | @UKFootball

📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MnxJnxEsfp
— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2025

Day 1 could turn into Shedeur Sanders watch

All signs point to the Tennessee Titans taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also appears to be a likely first-round pick after receiving an invite to the 2025 NFL Draft.

Will the New York Giants pick the Colorado quarterback at No. 3 overall? If they decide to roll with Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter, that could create quite the drama.

Will the Cleveland Browns attempt trade up into the first round after taking Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall? Will Sanders fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 overall? Could he fall out of the first round?

The first night of the draft will be centered around what happens with Sanders.