Pro Football Focus surprised with their selection of Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 NFL draft. Hairston, known for his speed and proficiency in zone coverage, could provide valuable depth to the Chargers' cornerback group that includes promising young talents like Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart.
Despite expectations for the Chargers to address other positions like tight end, wide receiver, defensive tackle, or edge defender, cornerback emerges as a potential priority with Hairston in the mix. Standing out with his impressive 40-yard dash time and knack for interceptions, Hairston's ballhawk skills could be a significant asset for the Chargers, although his tackling in open-field situations requires improvement.
With Hairston's potential and room for growth, the Chargers' coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, could help him refine his skills and contribute effectively on the field alongside the emerging talent in the team's secondary.