Safety Malaki Starks is already sounding like one of the best picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Scouts and analysts praised it as such following the three-day event in April, but watching the 21-year-old rookie and hearing him talk about the game confirms that the Baltimore Ravens may have once again come out of the draft with the biggest steal.
Rookies reported for Baltimore’s training camp on July 15. Full-team practices will not start until July 23, but Starks and his rookie classmates are taking the opportunity to get settled in and prepare for the upcoming year.
On an episode of The Lounge Podcast with Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, Starks sat down to talk about how he is attacking his pro career as training camp inches closer. One of the key aspects of Starks’ game that shines every day is his approach to leadership, which makes him key to the success of this defense in 2025.
“I’m not worried about being the best leader because we have a bunch of leaders. I’m worried about being the best version of myself and leading the guys that I can, and eventually I’ll grow in that role,” Starks told Mink and Downing. “I understand that it takes time, and I still gotta learn…You can never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself, and I think coming in here and learning is very natural.”
Malaki Starks is already showcasing what made him the perfect prospect
Starks has yet to have a chance to show much on the field. Training camp has yet to start after all. However, in the reps he has gone through thus far, he has been spectacular. Head Coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the staff have been thoroughly impressed, but what is blowing people away is his character on and off the field.
Communication and leadership are key at the safety position. It can be tough for a rookie to come in and do that, but Starks’ mindset exemplifies that of a 10-year veteran. Whether it was organizing walkthroughs at rookie minicamp, doing in-depth film studies, or taking the time to ask questions and learn from experienced players on the roster, every step Starks has taken in his NFL career has been exceptional. And it is exactly what the Ravens need.
Baltimore was in dire need of a safety this past offseason. That was crystal clear. Veterans Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson struggled mightily, forcing defensive coordinator Zach Orr to make changes and use do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton more as a deep safety. While it washed away their defensive woes, it also limited Hamilton from being his best self. The addition of Starks allows the Notre Dame product to go back to being the team’s versatile sparkplug, and with the current looks of it, Starks could provide similar traits.
If Starks’ play is any indication of what his football IQ and leadership qualities say about him, the Ravens should have a problem transitioning with a rookie starter in the back end of the secondary. The former Georgia Bulldog is already exciting fans, and training camp is sure to be filled with Starks' highlights.