Georgia safety Malaki Starks is among the best defensive back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Positional versatility is at the forefront of Starks' game. On any given snap, the Bulldogs standout may align as a single-high safety, downhill in the box, or even as a boundary or a nickel cornerback, impacting the defense in a variety of manners.
Starks blends elite athletic traits with rare instincts to be a versatile three-level defensive back and playmaker. A rare change of direction ability allows Starks the range required to make plays while covering every blade of grass. High football intelligence is obviously present. He totaled 77 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception this season.
NFL franchises will target Starks with a first-round selection. We've identified three potential team fits for Starks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are currently slated to possess negative $18 million in effective cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap. General manager Chris Grier must create some financial flexibility ahead of March's free agency period. Expect a ton of contract restructures, with a few veterans like Raheem Mostert and Durham Smythe also qualifying as potential cap casualties.
Meanwhile, safety Jevon Holland is among Miami's expiring contracts. If he isn't franchise-tagged, Holland will be positioned to command a multi-year contract worth roughly $20 million per season on the open market. The Dolphins could get significantly cheaper at the position while hopefully enduring not much of a drop-off in production by drafting Starks. Starks would be a terrific fit in Anthony Weaver's defense.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley on Monday. General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen were retained and they'll now oversee the process of appointing Bradley's successor. It's difficult to know what sort of defensive players they'll target until the next DC is in place, but every unit could use a versatile weapon like Starks roaming the defensive backfield.
Safety Nick Cross took necessary developmental steps forward, but an upgrade would move things forward opposite him. This year's primary running mate was Julian Blackmon, who is slated to hit free agency. Starks would immediately command a young secondary in Indianapolis that needs to start producing.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys need impactful defensive talents to help Micah Parsons. Trevon Diggs and Demarcus Lawrence ended the season on IR and the Cowboys haven't gotten instant results out of recently drafted defenders. Aging talents like Lawrence, Chauncey Golston, and Eric Kendricks are also scheduled for free agency.
The Cowboys simply don't roster enough defenders that can swing momentum or the result of a contest. Starks would join a Cowboys secondary that will still have Diggs and DaRon Bland in notable roles next season. After enduring a disappointing campaign that failed to yield a postseason run, the Cowboys will be searching for instant-impact players this offseason. Starks would check Jerry Jones' boxes.
