Buffalo General Manager Brandon Beane went heavily on the defensive side in the 2025 draft, with good reason as the team had trouble getting stops all season in 2024. The Bills entered the draft with 10 picks and despite making a couple of trades, still wound up with 9 players. Here is the list of players chosen:
Round 1 – Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky – an infusion of youth and speed to the secondary is just what the doctor ordered for the Bills. Hairston ran a sub-4.3 40 at the combine, and is an immediate prospect to start at outside corner opposite Christian Benford.
Round 2 – T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina – Beane traded up to get this player, who adds much needed size and again, youth, to the interior defensive line. He should be a good addition to the D line rotation provided he develops as expected.
Round 3 – Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas – a large, mature defender who is slated to step into the role vacated by the departure of Von Miller. He was a 2 year captain for the Razorbacks, highlighting his leadership.
Round 4 – Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky – this pick could be a steal. In drafting Hairston’s Wildcat teammate, the Bills get a mammoth player (6’7 331 lbs.) whose production tailed off in 2024 due to a nagging back injury, but based on his 2023 tape he could’ve been a top 10 pick.
Round 5A – Jordan Hancock, DB, Ohio State – his listing as a defensive back, rather than a safety or corner, is due to his versatility, a trait the Bills’ coaches love. His best spot appears to be at slot corner.
Round 5B – Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech – a need since the team jettisoned Quinton Morris. He has been called the best blocking tight end available in this draft.
Round 6A – Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech – highlighting a glaring need, the Bills select a third defensive back. His coverage skills make him a “strong” candidate to make the squad and be a contributor as a rookie.
Round 6B – Chase Lundt, OT, Connecticut – Beane scours the smaller schools for a large (6’7 304) offensive lineman in the mold of Spencer Brown. With the team enjoying a huge amount of depth on the O line, he may be relegated to the practice squad, where he would be open to be poached by other teams.
Round 7 – Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland – late round picks like this are always long shots to make the team, but Prather has some traits that could help him. He was a secondary option for the Terps behind Tai Felton, so who knows what untapped potential might be there?
