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Bills Sign Potential Rookie Starter to $15 Million Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Morgan | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 10:47 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills made nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and two of them were players from the University of Kentucky's defense.

The team selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the 30th overall pick in the first round, and defensive lineman Deone Walker with the 109th pick in the fourth round. Now, they have signed both players to rookie deals, according to Ian Rapoport.

Buffalo was bottom half in the league this past season in sacks, and that is what Walker comes in looking to help them do. He racked up 10 sacks in his time with the Wildcats, as well as 23 tackles for loss.

He might not be a starter immediately, but he could very well compete for that spot as time goes on.

As for Hairston, he comes into a Bills secondary that allowed the ninth-most passing yards in the league in 2024, so he will come in looking to immediately make an impact.

The #Bills signed CB Maxwell Hairston to his 4-year, $15.2M contract. https://t.co/KPlYEu5I7E
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 13, 2025

In 2023, the 21-year-old defensive back led the SEC Conference in interceptions with five, two of which he was able to take back to the house.

Hairston's deal is for four years and is worth $15.2 million, which is a slotted price that the team is more than willing to pay for a player who could be in their secondary for many years to come.

Buffalo fell to the Kansas City Chiefs once again in the playoffs this past season, so the two UK Wildcats and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the postseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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