Bills Ink Hairston to Rookie Deal, Bolster Buffalo Defense

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills signed first-round draft pick cornerback Maxwell Hairston and fourth-round defensive tackle Deone Walker to their four-year rookie contracts on Friday, June 13, 2025, ramping up preparations for the upcoming NFL season.[2] Hairston, selected in the first round from Kentucky, joins six other 2025 draft class rookies already inked, including third-round defensive end Landon Jackson from Arkansas, picked 72nd overall.[1][2] The moves come ahead of the team's rookie minicamp at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, drawing thousands of Western New York supporters eager for a Bills playoff push. Hairston, a shutdown corner known for his ball-hawking skills, addresses a key need in Buffalo's secondary after injuries plagued the unit last season. Walker, a massive 6-foot-6, 345-pound interior force, bolsters the defensive line alongside veterans like Ed Oliver. These signings mark the seventh and eighth from the 2025 class, leaving just one undrafted rookie unsigned as the Bills build depth for Highmark Stadium showdowns.[1][2] Buffalo's aggressive draft strategy under general manager Brandon Beane targets defensive reinforcements, vital after the team's 11-6 record fell short in the AFC playoffs. Local boosters, from Rochester tailgaters to Niagara Falls diehards, see Hairston and Walker as cornerstones for a Super Bowl run. With minicamp underway, coach Sean McDermott's squad is primed to defend Western New York pride.