The fastest player of the 2025 NFL Draft has been frequently projected to the Rams. Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston ran a 4.28 40-yard dash, the fastest of any player at this year's NFL Draft Combine, and he's more than just a speedster.

ESPN, USA Today, FOX Sports, CBS Sports and Pro Football Focus all predicted the Rams will select Hairston at pick No. 26 in recent mock drafts. His elite ball skills and fluid movements, birthed from a diverse athletic background including track and basketball, make him a big-play threat from the inside or outside at the NFL level.

This is not an endorsement of Hairston by the Rams, nor is it an indication that they are targeting him. This is simply a reflection of external media linking Hairston to Los Angeles in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here's a scouting report on Hairston and what he could bring to the Rams' defense:

Scouting Report

Hairston moves like the roadrunner and is a technically sound cover corner who "plays to his help" in man coverage and shows "conviction and awareness" in cover three zones, according to The Athletic’s Dan Brugler.

Over the past two seasons, Hairston has six interceptions in 20 games, including an FBS-leading three pick-sixes. He's also defended 10 passes and forced three fumbles.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said Hairston's physical skills make him "capable of playing all forms of zone and man coverage." His top-end speed and change of direction help Hairston stay glued to receivers in man coverage, making plays on the ball consistently with anticipation and decisiveness.

"Hairston is a jitterbug changing directions, thanks to his light feet, and will do well to key the quarterback when making decisions when leveraging multiple routes," wrote Kyle Crabbs of the 33rd Team. "His feel of sinking and expanding based on urgency of threats highlights his understanding of spatial awareness."

His speed shows up just as much on tape as it did during his 40-yard dash, and Hairston's quickness is just as impressive, dropping off coverages in zone to "compress throwing windows," Crabbs wrote.

For a smaller corner, Hairston has no problem imposing his physicality throughout routes or aggressiveness at the catch point. He often breaks on the ball early, anticipating throws before they happen. That can get him beat if he's wrong, but presents big-play opportunities when he's right.

"Hairston excels in press coverage, where his long arms allow him to get hands on receivers and disrupt routes early," wrote the Bleacher Report Scouting Department. "He's adept at riding receivers downfield and staying in phase when given a cushion. His vision and awareness highlight his zone coverage abilities, as he does a great job of reading the quarterback's eyes while tracking threats."

The overwhelming majority of scouting reports say his biggest weakness is tackling. At 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, he's slightly undersized and struggles to take down ball-carriers in space. He also had trouble competing with larger, physical receivers, sometimes resorting to overly aggressive tactics that draw penalty flags.

Fit

Cornerback has been pegged as a need for Los Angeles by many analysts, and Hairston is the most dynamic prospect at the position (if you don't count Travis Hunter). That's not to say he's the most pro-ready, but he certainly provides the most athletic potential.

"None of the Rams' current cornerbacks were even among the 50 highest-graded players at the position last season, making this the biggest need on the roster," wrote PFF's Max Chadwick. "Hairston is more of a Day 2 prospect, but he's an ideal fit in Chris Shula's zone-heavy scheme."

Hairston's instincts and quickness would help him thrive in the Rams' zone scheme, especially behind a much stronger defensive line than he played with at a lower tier SEC school in Kentucky. The success of his aggressive approach could even be elevated by a more effective pass rush, something the Rams prize.

Hairston would compliment the lengthy Ahkello Witherspoonwell, as they each provide distinct skill sets.

In all, he's a physically gifted prospect who could use a bit of refining to be an impact player as a rookie. The Rams' coaching staff and scheme are well-suited to help him make those necessary adjustments so that Hairston could impact both the Rams' current championship window and long-term stability at cornerback.

"The Rams have to balance developing a young roster with capitalizing on the competitive window propped open by their veteran gunslinger," wrote USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz. "Bolstering the outlook at cornerback would serve both goals, and Los Angeles' defensive scheme should help Hairston tap into his playmaking prowess in coverage."