The 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and so is your need to be prepared for all of tomorrow’s stars. Dive into our spotlight on Malaki Starks, featuring his scouting report, strengths and weaknesses, his recent draft projection, and where all the experts predict he could land.
Malaki Starks’ NFL Draft Scouting Report
Malaki Starks has many of the tools needed to be a high-level starter at the NFL level. He’s a well-built safety with a large catch radius and the versatility to play across the secondary. His intelligence allows him to thrive in various alignments, and he’s battle-tested as a three-year starter for a blue-blood program.
In coverage, Starks has the athleticism to cover a considerable amount of space and the processing skills to act quickly upon his reads. He aims to disrupt plays when the ball is thrown in his direction, and he can crowd WRs in nickel as well.
As a solid tackler to add onto his abilities in coverage, Starks should project well as a true starting safety with nickel versatility. Cutting down on moments of inconsistency in blind spot IQ and block take-on will be key in unlocking his full potential.
Malaki Starks’ NFL Draft Projection
In CSN’s 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from April 12, Starks landed in Round 1 with the 24th overall pick. James Fragoza has this to say:
While some NFL Draft analysts might tire of hearing Malaki Starks’ name, there’s a good reason for it. Starks is one of the safest picks in this class. If he played a more critical position, he’d be a top-10 selection. In the secondary, he consistently performs at an above-average level, no matter the role.
And in CSN’s recent 3-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Brian Burden had this to say about Starks’ selection to the Detroit Lions in Round 1 with the 28th pick:
The Detroit Lions probably need another edge rusher more, but safety is also a high position of need, and Malaki Starks is the best remaining player on the board here. The 2023 consensus All-American had a strong junior campaign in Athens, recording 77 tackles. He also had six interceptions in three seasons for Georgia.
Starks could go much higher than he has in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft due to his versatility, but this would be an excellent fit for the Lions if he falls on Thursday night.
2025 NFL Draft Landing Spots for Malaki Starks
Here are other potential landing spots that have found their way in recent mock drafts:
- Minnesota Vikings
- Detroit Lions
- Indianapolis Colts
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Malaki Starks’ NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6007
- Weight: 197 pounds
- Position: Safety
- School: Georgia
- Arm: 3158
- Hand: 948
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.50
- 10-Yard Split: 1.51
- Broad Jump: n/a
- Vertical Jump: 33.0″
Malaki Starks’ College Stats
Career:
- Games: 43
- Solo Tackles: 127
- Assists: 70
- TFL: 6
- INTs: 6
- PBU: 17
- FR: 0
- FF: 0
2024:
- Games: 52
- Solo Tackles: 52
- Assists: 25
- TFL: 4
- INTs: 1
- PBU: 3
- FR: 0
- FF: 0
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