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Landon Jackson’s NFL draft profile (0:37)

Check out some of the top highlights from Arkansas’ Landon Jackson. (0:37)

BUFFALO — The 2025 NFL draft kicked off from Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday night, and the Buffalo Bills took cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 overall pick. Now on to Round 2, the Bills traded up for No. 41 to pick T.J. Sanders.

Here’s a look at Buffalo’s selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports

My take: Cornerback was the biggest need, and the team was able to address it. General manager Brandon Beane emphasized Hairston’s speed — 4.28 40-yard dash, fastest at the NFL Scouting Combine — and said he will add something the Bills don’t have. Hairston has versatility, but the 21-year-old’s size, 5-foot-11, 192-pounds is something to note, as Beane described him as a “willing tackler” who bounced off bigger players at times. “We’ll continue to get him in our weight program and get him sturdy,” Beane said. “But it’s not from a lack of effort. And he’s got the … coverage skills, ball skills that you look for.”

Will he start as a rookie? Maybe. Beane said that it will be an open competition for the role opposite Christian Benford after re-signing Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson. Hairston will have an opportunity to win the job, but Beane used the phrase, “if Maxwell’s not ready,” when describing the competition. This is a move to get a long-term answer at the CB2 spot, and pushing Hairston to get on the field for Week 1 isn’t a necessity. But the opportunity to earn it is there.

Ties to the team to know: Hairston played with Bills running back Ray Davis, drafted last year, at Kentucky. “Tell Ray Davis I’m moving in,” Hairston said. “…I’m just so happy to be reunited with him. That’s a great teammate and I know that he’s going to be someone that, hey, I can ask a bunch of questions with, and he’s gonna help me out.”

Round 2, No. 41: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

TJ Sanders

My take: The Bills traded up and addressed a significant area of need by selecting Sanders, moving up from No. 56 to No. 41 to do so. He lined up in multiple spots at South Carolina, providing versatility to the Bills’ defensive line, and he has the potential to be a three-down player. Notable when it comes to the Bills is his ability as a pass rusher. Sanders had 8.5 total sacks over the last two seasons, with 7.5 of those coming lined up as a defensive tackle.

When will he be expected to get regular time? There’s no doubt that Sanders is in line to see time this season, at minimum as part of the defensive line rotation, something that the Bills use heavily. He is not set to see playing time as a starter as general manager Brandon Beane said that they see him as primarily a three-technique who can also play one-technique, which will place him as more of a backup to Ed Oliver. He is also a selection for the future as the team invests in the line.

Round 3, No.72: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire

My take: The Bills believe in building the team up front and that was on display for a second time this draft by adding Jackson. He brings elements to the team that can’t be taught, notably his length (6-foot-6, 264-pounds). The Bills don’t need Jackson to be a starter right away after adding Joey Bosa in free agency, but he is someone who could earn that role over time. He’ll likely start out serving a valuable role as part of the defensive line rotation. In addition to getting after the quarterback, he had 20 run stops the last two years, tied for fifth by SEC defensive linemen.

What we’re hearing about Jackson: General manager Brandon Beane: “High character, DNA. A longer athletic dude, a lot of sacks, went against a lot of premium talent in the SEC, and had a lot of production. … I would say even tested better than I would have maybe even said. But this guy is smart, he knows how to rush, he has feel in there. He’s not just an athletic guy. Like, he knows when the quarterback’s stepping up. He’s just got feel, instincts, awareness, he’s tough, he’s a dog. He’s everything we want in a DNA of a D-lineman.””

What’s next: How about some offense? The Bills addressed their most obvious needs on the first two days, so the seven picks remaining — if the team actually picks at all of them — can focus on the best players on their board. Depth is needed at a variety of positions, but some to watch include wide receiver, running back, interior offensive line and safety.

Round 4: No. 132

Round 5: No. 169

Round 5: No. 170

Round 6: No. 173

Round 6: No. 177

Round 6: No. 206

Round 7: No. 240 (via Chicago)