Georgia
NFL mock draft: Where will Georgia’s Malaki Starks be picked in 2025 NFL Draft?
Georgia safety Malaki Starks breaks down Bulldogs’ Pro Day
Georgia safety Malaki Starks breaks down Bulldogs’ Pro Day with reporters.
Georgia safety Malaki Starks shined in pass coverage during his three seasons with the Bulldogs, culminating in a 77-total tackle season in 2024.
Where could Starks land in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Recent NFL mock draft projections have the star Georgia defensive back going as high as No. 13 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, but a couple we looked at did not even include him in the first round.
Check out the latest NFL draft projections and chatter for Malaki Starks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Which team(s) would be a good fit for the standout cornerback?
Theo Mackie writes: “This is a spot where free agency is worth watching. If the Dolphins do not address their offensive line next month, they’ll need to do on Day 1 of the draft in order to give Tua Tagovailoa and this offense a chance to rebound in 2025. But if the Dolphins turn to a deep class of free agents — especially at guard — they could opt to shore up their defense with Starks, who is an elite athlete in the secondary.”
Bob McManaman writes: “Starks is a versatile defender who can be a force in coverage as well as a stopper closer to the box. The Colts might look for more offensive help here with quarterback Anthony Richardson facing a critical third NFL season, but they can’t and won’t ignore the defensive side of the ball.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: “The Ravens have long developed a reputation for pouncing on talented players who, for one reason or another, fall in the draft. That habit could re-emerge again in April with Starks, a savvy safety who would free up the defense to provide a range of different looks with two-time Pro Bowl selection Kyle Hamilton.”
Kyle Crabbs writes: “The Bills have bigger needs. They’ve been busy this offseason locking in their own young talent on extensions. Khalil Shakir, Terrell Bernard and Gregory Rousseau all got the big bucks. James Cook and Christian Benford may be next. But the safety room is one that’s amid transition, and seeing Starks on the board this late is too good to pass up.”
Yahoo Sports: Malaki Starks lands with Miami Dolphins at No. 13
Charles McDonald writes: “Jevon Holland out, Starks in. Starks is a supremely talented defensive back who, at his best, can be a dominant tackler and coverage player on the back end — the exact player the Dolphins need in their secondary right now.”
Pro Football Focus: Malaki Starks drafted by Buffalo Bills at No. 30
Max Chadwick writes: “The Bills simply need to add talent to a defense that finished with the fifth-worst PFF overall grade and the second-worst PFF coverage grade last year. Starks would certainly improve the latter — and be one of the draft’s bigger steals if he fell this far. He earned an 87.5 PFF overall grade across his three years at Georgia.”
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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