Breaking down the Baltimore Ravens’ selection of S Malaki Starks with the No. 27 overall pick.
The Baltimore Ravens entered this year’s first round of draft with flexibility. They lacked any glaring holes but had some clear needs for depth and immediate contributors at certain positions.
One of those areas was the safety position, which is why Georgia’s Malaki Starks was the most heavily-mock drafted player to the team. Ultimately, that is who they wound up drafting with the No. 27 overall pick.
“Excellent communicator and excellent leader.” @MoveTheSticks breaks down the @Ravens newest DB Malaki Starks
: 2025 #NFLDraft – on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
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Starks was by-and-large the top-ranked safety prospect in this year’s draft class. The former Bulldog possesses a solid all-around skill set and projects as a seamless fit in the Ravens’ defense.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Starks has a good physical profile. He’s a high-level run defender thanks to his downhill speed and tackling prowess. He’s also drives to the ball well in coverage and possesses great ball skills.
Starks’ fit in the Ravens’ defense is seamless on paper. He can immediately slot into the three-safety sets alongside Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington. Starks played over 500 defensive snaps at nickel for Georgia, and Washington too has plenty of experience in the slot.
Last year, Hamilton was forced to move into a deep-field role to help patch up coverage issues and allowing big plays. He thrived in this role, but was pigeon-holed and couldn’t play around the line of scrimmage as much.
With Starks in the mix, Hamilton should now have more flexibility. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr can deploy all three safeties in a variety of roles, as well as All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Starks adds some long-term insurance, too, with Washington set to be a free agent after 2025. The prospects of a Hamilton-Starks safety duo of the future is tantalizing.
The Ravens have suffered poor turnover differential in each of their postseason losses over the past several years. Their defense has struggled to force takeaways in key games. Starks’ playmaking ability is a welcome addition and could help the Ravens in big moments.
Another reason the Ravens likely drafted Starks is his pedigree. He comes from one of the country’s best programs, specifically on defense, in Georgia. He was a key contributor on the Bulldogs championship team as a freshman and earned All-American honors in 2023.
In 43 games through three college seasons, Starks racked up 197 total tackles, six interceptions, 17 passes defended, and six tackles for loss.