Sometimes, you develop an instant crush when you watch an NFL prospect for the first time. That may have happened when I first began watching Malaki Starks. However, one critical aspect of his game drew concern for me. I won’t get into his flaws and all yet, but know his most significant on-field issue is fixable. Another aspect of his scouting profile that raises questions for some other scouts is his durability. While that doesn’t appear to be a major issue for Starks, it’s still hard not to worry a bit. He’s coming off a significant shoulder injury, which required surgery. As I’ve said a million times, we fans don’t have access to detailed medical reports like NFL organizations do. Therefore, I can’t form a strong opinion on whether his medical concerns are valid.
What I do know to be true is that Starks provides a blend of size, explosiveness, and range. This combination is vastly intriguing. We’ll be assessing whether he can put his physical talents to best use and develop into a superstar. I loved many things about Stark’s film, but he also left me scratching my head at times. Coming from a Georgia defense run by Kirby Smart, it wasn’t easy breaking down his film. Safety is highly boring to watch because, in most plays, the Safety isn’t truly involved. Georgia also ran countless coverage schemes that were extremely confusing. Nonetheless, I was able to figure out what was going on most of the time and feel I have a good grasp on Starks.
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Malaki Stark’s Stats (per PFF)
(Through WK Six)
| 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| TGT: 13 REC: 10 YD: 120 | TD: 0 INT: 1 PDF: 0 | TKL: 18 MIS: 4 FFM: 0 |
| 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| TGT: 35 REC: 18 YD: 200 | TD: 3 INT: 3 PDF: 7 | TKL: 46 MIS: 3 FFM: 0 |
Film Analysis
Malaki Starks is in straight-man coverage playing off the ball in the clip above. He quickly recognizes the Receiver is slightly breaking outside and adjusts his body accordingly to defend the ball. He then stays patient and doesn’t aggressively over-commit on the ball.
In a combo coverage Georgia is running, Starks is in off-man coverage again, but this time comes up with a massive pick. He plays trail technique beautifully and isn’t moved at all by the fake stutter inside, remaining with outside leverage.
In addition to all the communicating Starks does on the back end, he showcases excellent awareness and instincts to sniff this trick play out. Alabama drew this play up in hopes Starks would’ve bailed back deep after seeing the QB get pitched back the ball, but he wasn’t fooled one bit.
Playing from a split-safety pre-snap look, Starks drops back as a single high Safety in this one. He has the vision and zone instincts to see the Receiver break open on the sideline and make a fantastic play on the ball.
Grades
OVR Grade: 1-100
| Individual trait scale (1-7): |
|---|
| 7 – Rare world-class skill; best in the league and no room for improvement | 6 – Great-elite skill; one of the best at that given trait but still has some room to improve | 5 – Very good; above average and has potential to be elite | 4 – Average; able to suffice but, not ideal long-term | 3 – Below average; able to suffice at college level | 2 – Poor; hinders overall play and is a liability to the team | 1 – Awful; not good enough to play given position at any level above D2 | Note: Consistency plays a large factor. |
| Overall Draft grade scale (1-100, realistically: 52-86): |
|---|
| 85 – Perfect prospect | 81 – Bluechip prospect | 79 – Day one quality starter or superstar potential | 77 – Day one starter w/ all-pro upside | 76 – Day one starter w/ high-end upside | 75 – Day One Starter | 74 – Boom or bust | 73 – Will become quality starter within 2-3 years | 72 – Boom or bust (high risk) | 70 – Will become starter within 2-3 years | 68 – Day-one backup with starter upside |
Malaki Stark’s Pros And Cons
Rangy and versatile Safeties are scarce in the modern NFL. Malaki Starks has that precise skill set but also comes with some considerable risks. Given the degree of his uncoachable talent, he’s still a defensive coordinator’s dream chest piece on the back end.
Pros
- One of the most talented athletes at Safety to come out since I started doing evals. He’s going to run low 4.4s, maybe high 4.3s.
- Explosive when triggering downfield and unexpected fluidity to thrive in man coverage.
- Not only can he lay the wood, but he’s been a sure tackler as well. Only 12 career missed tackles, and a quarter of them (three) came in the 2024 Alabama game.
- Versatility is the name of his game. Has the needed range and coverage instincts to play single high effectively. Can man up guys in the Slot or come down and play in the box.
- Has the size and raw power to come into the box and anchor against a Tight End; just needs to work on his shedding ability.
- Plays best in match coverage where his IQ and communication skills are tested and he has the route squeeze and athleticism to shut down high-end playmakers.
- Not always, but very often he demonstrates pro-level instincts in run defense and a quick reaction in pass defense.
- Size and vertical jumping ability give his ball skills immense upside.
- You could tell he’s the main leader in a highly talented Georgia defense. He’s also the main one communicating with everyone on the back end and does a fine job considering how complex Georgia’s defense is.
Cons
- The most frustrating and blatant area Starks struggles in is his pursuit angles in all aspects of the game. He’ll over-commit on an outside run giving up a massive play or will take a poor angle on a pass allowing an easy completion.
- Despite his frame, he doesn’t put in the effort to shed blocks consistently against tight ends.
- As we talked about, durability isn’t his strong suit.
Combine (TBD)
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Pro Day (TBD)
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All-22 Exposures
- Florida, 2023
- Missouri, 2023
- South Carolina, 2023
- Clemson, 2024
- Alabama, 2024
Best Landing Spots for Malaki Starks
- SF 49ers
- Indianapolis Colts
- Miami Dolphins
Conclusion on Malaki Starks
The concerns with Malaki Starks are valid when talking about him as a top-ten pick. Ultimately, Safety is more the cherry on top of defense than anything, and if he has medical concerns, why bother taking him? While I understand why some teams would pass on him, I’d personally bear the risks and take him top ten. His leadership and ability to communicate in the secondary with very confusing different combo coverages are remarkable. That’s why I’d bet on him to overcome his weakness in how he pursues the ball. When your two major weaknesses as a Safety are block shedding and pursuit, you can easily focus on improving just those two things. That means you’ll likely see him improve those things early on.
My favorite potential landing spot for Malaki Starks is the Niners, as he’d play the Jimmie Ward role. That scheme requires the Free Safety to line up everywhere while being capable of playing single high. Starks would flourish in that kind of role and environment. Realistically, the Niners won’t be picking too high. A team like LA or Miami would also be excellent for him and he has a legitimate shot of landing there. If Starks can stay healthy and overcome his only significant weakness, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a Minkah Fitzpatrick-esque player. Fitzpatrick himself didn’t hit the ground running either, but when his role got tapped into properly he blew up. I see the same thing with Starks. It’s insanely challenging to find that kind of skill set, so when that opportunity comes around, you better not pass on it.
Value – 1st SA/ 1st RD
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