Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston, All-Rookie | Ben Solak, ESPN
Buffalo’s rookie class continues making an impact in 2025, and Ben Solak put two on his All-Rookie Teams. Defensive tackle Deone Walker earned first team recognition alongside Tampa Bay defensive tackle Elijah Roberts. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston joined Arizona cornerback Denzel Burke on the second team.
“Once a prospective first-rounder thanks to his truly elite size (and great movement skills at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds), Walker fell in the draft after a poor final season at Kentucky. Buffalo struck gold when it took the risk in Round 4. Walker regularly takes on two blockers at the line of scrimmage, creates tackle-for-loss opportunities and makes high-effort pursuit plays into the boundary. He has also found more quick wins as a pass rusher than I expected. He’ll get his hands into passing lanes, too — and at his size, that’s a big impediment for opponent QBs.”
“Hairston has 156 coverage snaps this season, which is just enough to qualify (it’s a made-up list, so there are no real rules). Hairston has the speed, ball-tracking ability and ball skills of a true No. 1 cornerback with shadow ability, though his play is predictably up and down for a rookie who missed training camp. His lack of bulk will also be exposed by physical receivers and in run defense. Hairston barely beats out two more physical corners — Nohl Williams (Chiefs) and Azareye’h Thomas (Jets) — who have fewer splash plays. But man, both of those guys looked great, too. This is a good cornerback class.”