6 players the Buccaneers should keep an eye on for 2025 NFL Draft
By Brad Smith
Malaki Starks, SS, Georgia
Since graduating from Jefferson High School as a five-star recruit, Starks has lived up to the hype in college as one of the Bulldogs' top players. As a true freshman in 2022, the former top-10 recruit led all Georgia defenders with 847 snaps during its national championship run. In addition, Starks' eight combined interceptions and forced incompletions were tied for fifth among SEC safeties that year.
This past season, Starks took the leap to stardom in the absence of defensive backs Kelee Ringo, Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith, and Kamari Lassiter, all of whom were drafted in the 2022 draft. In 14 games, Starks posted 52 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions, while adding an 84.8 run-defense grade from PFF, the seventh-best mark of all safeties in the Power Five.
In addition, Starks was the only safety in the country to finish 2023 with top-15 grades in pass coverage and run defense, and Starks was top-five in both metrics. To no surprise, Starks was named as a unanimous All-American and looks to be even better in Athens this season.
At 6'1" and 205 pounds, Starks is an elite athlete who’s a standout run defender and tackler for the position while also consistently making plays in coverage. Even with Ohio State's Caleb Downs in the mix, Starks is still the favorite to be the first safety off the board in the draft, and could easily sneak in as a top-ten pick.