Bills GM: Kentucky Football Players are Pro-Ready

Maxwell Hairston made history in Green Bay. The Detroit native became the first Kentucky cornerback ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Even though the top-end talent hasn’t always been there, Mark Stoops’ program has developed a solid reputation among NFL front office exectuives.

Stoops has sent 29 players to the NFL Draft during his time at Kentucky. Hairston is the seventh defensive back selected over the last six years. Five of those guys are still logging serious snaps in the league. Brandin Echols (Jets), Carrington Valentine (Packers), and Dru Phillips (Giants) each logged multiple starts as rookies.

It’s the second straight year the Bills have drafted a player from Kentucky. Running back Ray Davis was a fourth-round pick who was productive as a rookie. He had 442 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season, including three games where he had double-digit carries. Davis scored a touchdown in the divisional round win over the Ravens.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane believes that players who come from Kentucky are ready to contribute on day one.

“They’ve done a great job. A lot of their players have come out of their pro-ready, and not just DBs,” said Beane. “I know that’s considered sometimes a basketball school, but they’ve put out some good football players. We think Maxwell is going to be another one.”

Davis stepped into a situation where he could seamlessly enter the running back rotation. Hairston is poised to be a plug-and-play starter for the perennial Super Bowl contenders.

Kentucky Hoping for Another Day 2 Pick

Kentucky has had a player selected on day two in six straight NFL Drafts. Deone Walker could extend that streak to seven. The enormous defensive lineman struggled through a back injury during his junior season, limiting his production and forcing his draft stock to fall from first-round territory.

It’s going to be hard for some teams to let big No. 0 slide to day three. CBS Sports projects Walker will hear his name called at No. 90 to the Rams. Jordan Reid of ESPN also has the former Kentucky Wildcat slotted near the end of the third round at No. 98 to the Miami Dolphins.

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