With their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens took Malaki Starks, the safety from the University of Georgia. As a Georgia Bulldog, Starks was a dynamic player in both stopping the run and in pass coverage. He was listed as the best safety in this draft, and the Ravens confirmed that to be the case for them, selecting him almost instantaneously after he fell to them on their board at pick 27.
He's the second safety they've picked in the first round in the last four years. They drafted Kyle Hamilton in 2022, so they clearly value the position more than most teams in the league. Now, Starks will team up with Hamilton, with high expectations for both of them and the rest of the defense ahead of this year's campaign.
Malaki Starks Could Make History in 2025
With his talent and pairing with Hamilton, Starks is a strong contender to win Defensive Rookie of the Year this season. It'll be tough, though, because no safety has won the award since Mark Carrier of the Chicago Bears in 1990.
It would also be a significant accomplishment for the team. No Raven has won the award since Terrell Suggs did it in 2003, who was the second Raven to win it. Peter Boulware was the first player from Baltimore to take home the award, winning it in 1997. Starks has the potential to become the third Raven to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and the first safety since Carrier in 1990.
NFL.com's Dan Par listed his top-10 rookies to win the award this upcoming season. Starks came in at number eight. Baltimore rookie Mike Green was also at number four on the list. Par says of Starks:
"As I mentioned at the top of this article, we have not seen a safety win DROY since 1990. Yet, it’s hard for me to not be enamored with the table that’s been set for this Ravens rookie. WithAr’Darius Washington suffering an Achilles tear in May, there’s no one threatening to challenge Starks for snaps, and head coach John Harbaugh has expressed confidence that the 21-year-old is up to the challenge."
In Carrier's rookie season, he notched 10 interceptions and five forced fumbles. 10 interceptions will be tough for Starks, but his versatility can bring a similar impact as a rookie to Baltimore's lethal defense. He's sure to be one of the most intriguing players to watch in Baltimore this year.