The Buffalo Bills are still basking in the glow of their commanding victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, a performance that reaffirmed their status as one of the AFC’s elite teams. However, even amidst the celebration, a lingering decision from the 2025 NFL Draft has cast a shadow over their early-season success. The Bills’ choice to draft cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the first round, while passing on Michigan’s standout Will Johnson, is beginning to look like a costly miscalculation—one that was painfully highlighted in Week 1.
Will Johnson, widely regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects entering the 2024 college football season, was a player many expected the Bills to target. The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler ranked Johnson as the No. 1 draft-eligible cornerback in August 2024, praising his rare combination of size, agility, and technique. “For a tall, long corner, Johnson has outstanding short-area agility and body control, which allow him to redirect and mirror routes quickly,” Brugler wrote. “Whether he is jamming from press or playing off coverage, he stays loose through his hips, making it easier for him to sink and transition.”
Despite his pedigree, a turf toe injury that sidelined Johnson for the second half of his final season at Michigan caused him to slip to the second round, where the Arizona Cardinals snapped him up. The Bills, meanwhile, opted for Hairston, a decision that is now under scrutiny. In Week 1, Johnson showcased his potential in Arizona’s 20-13 road victory over the New Orleans Saints, earning the second-highest overall grade and second-best coverage grade among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. His presence was pivotal, displaying the instincts and athleticism that once made him a top-five prospect.
While Johnson was making waves in the desert, Maxwell Hairston was relegated to the sidelines in Buffalo, dressed in regular clothes and nursing a knee injury sustained in late July. The injury, which forced him to miss the entire preseason, led to his placement on injured reserve at the end of training camp. Hairston will miss at least the next three games, with his earliest possible return slated for Week 5 against the New England Patriots.
The absence of Hairston in Week 1 was a stark reminder of the Bills’ gamble. As Fansided’s Lior Lampert pointed out, “The five-time reigning AFC East champions missed out on a budding star if Week 1 of the 2025 NFL campaign is any indication.” Lampert’s critique underscores the growing sentiment that the Bills may have drafted the wrong cornerback, especially as Hairston’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Even when Hairston returns, expectations for the rookie should be tempered. Missing most of training camp and all preseason reps puts him at a significant disadvantage. Transitioning to the NFL mid-season is a daunting task for any rookie, let alone one recovering from injury without the benefit of live game experience. If Hairston does take the field in Week 5, he could face a baptism by fire, potentially lining up against former Bills star receiver Stefon Diggs, now with the Patriots. Such a matchup would test Hairston’s readiness and highlight the gap between him and a player like Johnson, who is already making an impact.
The Bills’ defense performed admirably against the Ravens, but Johnson could have elevated it to another level. His ability to handle complex route combinations and lock down receivers in coverage would have complemented Buffalo’s aggressive defensive scheme. Instead, the Bills are left waiting to see if Hairston can live up to his first-round billing, a question that won’t be answered until he’s back on the field.
For now, the Bills remain a formidable force in the AFC East, but their decision to pass on Will Johnson looms large. As Johnson continues to shine for the Cardinals, Buffalo’s front office may be left to wonder what could have been. The 2025 season is young, but the early returns suggest that the Bills’ draft misstep could haunt them as they chase another division title—and beyond.