It is always difficult to gauge how good first-round cornerbacks will be in the NFL. Some prospects are immediate contributors, like Jalen Ramsey. Others, like Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, turn out to be major busts.
Buffalo hopes their most recent first-round pick doesn't turn out like Elam.
So far, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has shown plenty of potential through offseason workouts. And it is exciting coaches, including defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
"I think what we're starting to see is Max playing faster and utilizing his speed because his processing is starting to slow down a little bit in the event that he's grasping what we are throwing at him, if that makes sense," Babich said. "So there's some flashes here and there … Max is blessed with a lot of speed. And we'll see if that can show up consistently on the field."
Hairston is learning a new defensive system. That alone leads some to believe it will take some time for him to show he can be a legitimate starter right away.
The present setup?
He'll compete with veteran cornerback and former All-Pro Tre'Davious White for playing time this season.
But as we keep an eye on minicamp?
The fact that the Bills feel comfortable enough to give Hairston starting reps is an important step, though. It shows he is further along than Elam ever was during his tenure with Buffalo.
It also shows that the team is highly confident that they can get immediate production at a position where they need all hands on deck for a loaded AFC.