The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2025 season as one of the top contenders in the NFL. With an offense led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, scoring points won’t be the issue. But if they want to overtake the Chiefs in the AFC, they’ll need major improvement from a pass defense that gave up 264 yards per game last year, which ranked third-worst in the league.
To fix that, the Ravens used the 27th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Georgia safety Malaki Starks, the ninth-ranked player on my board and one of the most complete defensive backs in the class. Starks brings both talent and pedigree, coming off back-to-back All-American seasons and winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2023.
Versatility and opportunity make Starks a day one impact player
Starks is expected to slot in as the team’s starting free safety alongside strong safety Kyle Hamilton. He’s a perfect fit for what Baltimore wants to do on defense: smart, physical, and versatile. At Georgia, Starks played everywhere—free safety, strong safety, and nickel corner. Bleacher Report even called him the most versatile safety in college football heading into the draft.
That versatility stems from his balanced skill set. Against the run, he plays with aggression and discipline, rarely missing tackles and regularly winning in the box. Pro Football Focus gave him an 85.6 run defense grade last season, a testament to his physicality and consistency.
In coverage, he flashes cornerback traits, showing smooth hips, high-end speed, and the ability to blanket tight ends and slot receivers. His instincts are already turning heads in Baltimore, with head coach John Harbaugh praising his feel for the game. Over the past two seasons, Starks totaled four interceptions and showed excellent ball tracking and anticipation.
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Starks is also walking into immediate opportunity. With Ar’Darius Washington likely out for the season with a torn Achilles, the rookie should see significant snaps from Week 1. Ravens Wire projects him to finish third on the team in tackles and snag four interceptions. That’s a realistic outcome given his expected role and proven ability.
Starks gives Baltimore a major upgrade at a critical spot. If he plays to his potential, he might be the piece that helps the Ravens finally break through the AFC logjam.