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Raiders Linked to Fastest Player From NFL Combine

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 11:47 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have already begun rebuilding their roster this offseason under new general manager John Spytek. He let several of the team's best defenders leave in free agency for bigger contracts and instead signed a handful of players who were cheaper and fit the mold of what head coach Pete Carroll wants in a player.

Carroll, best known for his dominant defenses while coaching the Seattle Seahawks, has already been putting his fingerprints all over the roster. He has always prioritized size and speed in the secondary, and on Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Raiders were hosting the fastest player from the NFL combine on a visit, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

Hairston showcased his speed at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in just 4.28 seconds, which was the fastest time at the event. He also had a stellar career playing in the SEC at Kentucky, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2023.

In his final two seasons with the Wildcats, Hairston recorded 10 passes defended and six interceptions, three of which he returned for a touchdown. He also had 87 tackles, including three for a loss, despite playing in just 20 games during that span.

Carroll tends to like bigger cornerbacks, but Hairston is just north of 5-foot-11 with only 31-inch arms. However, in the past, the veteran coach has made an exception for elite speed, and the Kentucky product has exactly that. He should be on the radar for Las Vegas in the second round with the No. 37 pick.

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

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