It’s like the first day of school for the Buffalo Bills’ newest draft class, who are practicing for the first time at rookie camp.
This year’s top pick, Max Hairston, is trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible.
“Very anxious,” Hairston said. “I was like a little kid trying to go to sleep before Christmas last night.”
Hairston was the fastest man at the NFL Scouting Combine, but how quickly he adapts to the NFL game will determine how quickly he can contribute to the defense this season.
“It was a lot,” Hairston said. “Just adjust from the college game to this. I enjoyed myself. A lot to work on, but it just felt good to get my feet wet.”
Much of that development comes from lessons learned from coaches in the meeting rooms and from applying the playbook to what happens on the grass.
“They’re throwing a lot. It’s a different game now and just adjusting from my college terms to now my Buffalo Bills terms,” Hairston said.
Hairston’s speed is immediately clear watching him on the field, and he’s already spending time after practice working with a fellow defensive back, Dorian Strong, on what it will take to be at their best at this level.