1 week Ago By Ryan Anderson, LAFB Network
The Las Vegas Raiders are actively engaged in evaluating defensive talent for the upcoming NFL Draft, with a particular focus on the cornerback position. Following a reported visit with the Detroit Lions, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston is scheduled to meet with the Raiders on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Las Vegas Raiders Eyeing SEC Cornerback Ahead Of NFL Draft Hairston caught national attention after running a 4.
28, 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine. Hairston has experience as a starter at Kentucky for the past two seasons. However, his 2024 campaign was impacted by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for five games.
When he was healthy this past season, he recorded 19 tackles, one sack, and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Notably, Hairston led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with an impressive five interceptions in the 2023 season, returning two of those picks for scores, demonstrating his playmaking ability in the secondary. As Las Vegas continue their pre-draft evaluations, Hairston’s blend of starting experience and ball-hawking skills from a prominent conference make him a noteworthy prospect for their consideration.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Hairston as the 6th best cornerback and 54th best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, writing, “Hairston moves fairly effortlessly in all areas of the field, and he plays to his help in man-to-man coverage while showing conviction and awareness in Cover 3. He is a natural making plays at the catch point, but he’s also more scrappy than strong, which will show up against physical NFL receivers and in run support.” This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.
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