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Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston clocked a 4.28 40-yard dash, the fastest of any player at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He also had the second best vertical among cornerbacks at 39.5 inches. That athleticism raised eyebrows and could mean Hairston comes off the board early in the 2025 NFL draft.
Hairston has good arm length to combine with his athleticism and proved to be a ballhawk when he finished 2023 with five interceptions, including a pair of pick sixes. He missed five games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, which could knock his stock down a few notches.
At the end of his collegiate career, he recorded six picks, 10 passed defended, and three interception returns for touchdowns in 32 games. He also forced three fumbles, and recorded three tackles for loss.
Hairston plays with good anticipation and can fare very well in zone coverage. His route recognition and ability to close on the football could translate into much needed turnovers for the Dolphins secondary, a group that finished near the bottom of the NFL in interceptions last season.
The release of Kendall Fuller has created an opening for the Dolphins to target cornerbacks early in the draft. While 2023 second round pick Cam Smith and 2024 undrafted signee Storm Duck could be candidates to start opposite Jalen Ramsey, a highly-touted cornerback prospect could jump into the mix.
The Dolphins signed veteran Artie Burns in free agency and also have depth and camp bodies in Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, and Jason Maitre. There's also nickel corner Kader Kohou, who has played on the outside earlier in his career.
Miami needs to find a player to pair with Jalen Ramsey and Hairston could fit the bill if he's available at No. 48 overall.
Hairston was a team captain for Kentucky in 2023 and shares the school record for pick sixes in his career with three. While he may not be the biggest or physically imposing cornerback in the class, Hairston's ball skills and speed could make him a good fit.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins' top 2025 draft prospects: Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston
Continue reading...
Hairston has good arm length to combine with his athleticism and proved to be a ballhawk when he finished 2023 with five interceptions, including a pair of pick sixes. He missed five games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, which could knock his stock down a few notches.
At the end of his collegiate career, he recorded six picks, 10 passed defended, and three interception returns for touchdowns in 32 games. He also forced three fumbles, and recorded three tackles for loss.
Hairston plays with good anticipation and can fare very well in zone coverage. His route recognition and ability to close on the football could translate into much needed turnovers for the Dolphins secondary, a group that finished near the bottom of the NFL in interceptions last season.
- Position: Cornerback
- Projected round: 2nd
- Height: 5’11
- Weight: 183
Fit for Miami
The release of Kendall Fuller has created an opening for the Dolphins to target cornerbacks early in the draft. While 2023 second round pick Cam Smith and 2024 undrafted signee Storm Duck could be candidates to start opposite Jalen Ramsey, a highly-touted cornerback prospect could jump into the mix.
The Dolphins signed veteran Artie Burns in free agency and also have depth and camp bodies in Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, and Jason Maitre. There's also nickel corner Kader Kohou, who has played on the outside earlier in his career.
Bottom line
Miami needs to find a player to pair with Jalen Ramsey and Hairston could fit the bill if he's available at No. 48 overall.
Hairston was a team captain for Kentucky in 2023 and shares the school record for pick sixes in his career with three. While he may not be the biggest or physically imposing cornerback in the class, Hairston's ball skills and speed could make him a good fit.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins' top 2025 draft prospects: Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston
Continue reading...
