Malaki Starks, a possible Ravens draft choice, caught scouts’ attention during Pro Day by displaying exceptional agility and talents.

The NFL Draft is always a time of excitement for teams, fans, and players alike. For teams like the Baltimore Ravens, it’s an opportunity to add new talent that can shape the future of the franchise. One player who has recently caught the attention of both scouts and analysts is Malaki Starks, a versatile safety from the University of Georgia. During his Pro Day, Starks demonstrated a combination of athleticism, intelligence, and skills that could make him a standout addition to any NFL roster, especially the Ravens, who are known for their strong defensive foundation.

Starks’ Pro Day performance was widely regarded as one of the most impressive among the 2025 draft class, and it has made him a player to watch in the lead-up to the draft. This article will explore Malaki Starks’ journey from a promising high school athlete to a potential first-round pick, dive into his Pro Day performance, and analyze how he could fit into the Ravens’ defensive scheme.

From High School Star to College Sensation

Malaki Starks’ journey to the NFL began long before his Pro Day. As a high school standout in Georgia, he was a star player at Jefferson High School. Starks excelled not only as a football player but also as a basketball player and track athlete, showcasing his exceptional athleticism early on. His impressive speed, agility, and size made him a highly sought-after recruit, and by the time he finished his high school career, Starks was considered one of the top prospects in the country.

Starks’ athleticism caught the eyes of many top programs, but it was the University of Georgia, with its established football pedigree and reputation for producing NFL-ready talent, that ultimately won out. Starks made an immediate impact upon joining the Bulldogs, quickly earning playing time as a true freshman. His versatility was evident right away—he was capable of excelling both in coverage and in the box as a run defender, which made him a unique asset to Georgia’s defense.

Over the course of his college career, Starks continued to impress coaches, teammates, and scouts alike with his development as a player. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions made him a standout on Georgia’s defense, and he quickly became one of the team’s leaders. By the time he entered the NFL Draft discussion, Starks was considered one of the top safeties in the country.

The Pro Day: A Chance to Showcase His Talents

Pro Day is a critical part of the NFL Draft process. It allows players who are eligible for the draft to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives. The drills conducted during Pro Day cover a wide range of physical and mental skills, including the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, vertical jump, broad jump, and positional drills designed to highlight a player’s football IQ and technical proficiency. For players like Malaki Starks, Pro Day is a crucial opportunity to confirm their draft stock and demonstrate why they belong at the next level.

During his Pro Day, Starks showcased all the skills that had made him such a highly regarded prospect. He ran an impressive 4.43-second 40-yard dash, which is exceptional for a player of his size (standing at 6 feet, 205 pounds). His speed, combined with his quickness and agility, made him a standout during shuttle drills, where he showed the ability to change direction quickly and explode out of cuts. These traits are essential for a safety, especially when covering deep routes or reacting to sudden shifts in the offense.

Starks’ vertical jump was another impressive statistic. He jumped 40 inches, which is above average for an NFL safety and shows his ability to track the ball in the air and contest high throws. His ability to get off the ground quickly and his overall athleticism are significant advantages, especially when tasked with covering tight ends or receivers downfield.

In addition to his physical prowess, Starks also impressed scouts with his football IQ and mental preparation during positional drills. His footwork, ability to read quarterbacks, and understanding of various coverage schemes stood out. Starks demonstrated that he is a versatile defender capable of playing in a variety of schemes, from single-high safety to split safety looks, and can also line up in the box to defend the run or cover tight ends in the passing game.

Perhaps the most telling moment of his Pro Day performance came during the positional drills. Starks showed a remarkable ability to maintain proper positioning while reading the quarterback’s eyes and the routes of receivers. His anticipation and instincts were on full display as he made several plays on the ball, breaking up passes in ways that demonstrated his high football IQ and field awareness.

How Malaki Starks Could Fit into the Ravens’ Defense

The Baltimore Ravens have long been known for their stout, physical defense, and they have a rich tradition of developing elite defensive players. From Ed Reed to Ray Lewis to Terrell Suggs, the Ravens have consistently been one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive units. Adding a talent like Malaki Starks could enhance their defense further, particularly in the secondary.

Starks’ ability to play multiple positions and cover a wide range of responsibilities makes him a perfect fit for the Ravens’ defensive scheme. One of the key characteristics of the Ravens’ defense is its versatility. Baltimore often utilizes a variety of defensive looks, and the ability to switch between man-to-man, zone, and hybrid schemes is critical. Starks is well-suited for this, as he has shown the ability to excel in both man and zone coverage.

As a safety, Starks has the size and physicality to thrive in run support, and he’s quick enough to cover wide receivers and tight ends in the passing game. The Ravens often use their safeties in a variety of roles, including deep coverage, blitz packages, and covering tight ends. Starks’ athleticism and instincts would allow him to excel in all of these roles.

Moreover, Starks’ ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and adjust to the flow of the game would make him a key asset in the Ravens’ defense, particularly in their ability to generate turnovers. Starks has demonstrated a natural ability to track the football, and his ball skills make him a threat to intercept passes or break up throws.

One area where Starks could be particularly valuable to the Ravens is in their ability to cover tight ends, a position that has been problematic for the team in recent years. Tight ends have been a consistent target for opposing offenses, and the Ravens have struggled to find a solution to consistently cover them. Starks has the speed, agility, and size to match up with tight ends and disrupt their routes, something that could be a game-changer for the Ravens’ defense.

Starks’ Versatility as a Playmaker

One of the key factors that sets Malaki Starks apart from other safety prospects is his versatility. Over the course of his college career, Starks proved that he could be used in a variety of defensive schemes. He has the ability to play as a deep safety in single-high coverage or as a second safety in a two-deep look. He has also demonstrated the ability to play in the box as a hybrid linebacker or nickelback, allowing him to be used as a versatile piece in any defensive scheme.

Additionally, Starks’ experience as a return man during his time at Georgia speaks to his overall athleticism and playmaking ability. His quickness and field awareness could also make him a threat on special teams, potentially adding value to the Ravens in this area as well.

Starks has also shown an ability to be a physical player in run support, willing to come down into the box and tackle ball carriers head-on. His ability to read plays and get downhill quickly makes him an ideal fit in Baltimore’s aggressive defensive system, which often emphasizes stopping the run and creating havoc at the line of scrimmage.

The Future for Malaki Starks

While it’s difficult to predict exactly where Starks will be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, his Pro Day performance certainly solidified his status as one of the top safety prospects in the class. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ makes him a rare talent, and it’s clear that he has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level.

For the Ravens, Starks would be a fantastic addition to an already impressive defense. His ability to play multiple roles and contribute both in coverage and run support would fit seamlessly into the Ravens’ defensive philosophy. With the team’s focus on improving their pass defense and continuing to build a dominant defense, Starks could be the perfect piece to add to their secondary.

The Ravens have often built their teams around strong defense, and adding a player like Malaki Starks would continue that tradition. Whether he’s lining up in the secondary, helping to stop the run, or contributing in pass coverage, Starks has the tools to become a key player for the Ravens’ defense in the years to come.