Entering their Week 10 matchup, the Baltimore Ravens still had plenty of questions they needed to answer. Most of those questions resided on the defensive side. Despite a recent surge, their pass rush remained an issue, and many wondered if the secondary could hold their own against the Minnesota Vikings’ star-studded receiving core. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s group answered the bell.
The acquisition of pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones paid off in a big way, as he brought consistent pressure on Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and the secondary shut down wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They also forced three turnovers for the second straight week, including a second-career interception for rookie safety Malaki Starks.
Starks was the highest-graded player on the field, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). He earned a 91.0 overall grade for another superb showing, and he is quickly becoming one of the best players on the Ravens’ entire team.
Malaki Starks is leading a defensive surge
Week 10’s impressive performance made it back-to-back games for Starks with an interception and a PFF grade of 91.0 or higher. He earned a 91.2 grade in the team’s Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, another week where he graded out as the best player on the field.
Starks has not only been the best player in Baltimore over this two-game stretch; he has been the best defender in the NFL over the past two weeks, with a 92.7 grade, per PFF.
After allowing 16 receptions on 21 targets through his first seven games, he has allowed just two catches on four targets for 10 yards in the last two contests. Add in the two interceptions, and he has allowed just a 16.7 passer rating when targeted.
The highest-graded defender over the past two weeks:
— PFF (@PFF) November 12, 2025
🔒 Malaki Starks https://t.co/YqTEbChYoc pic.twitter.com/UJERve5edB
Starks is proving to be steady as a tackler and in run defense during this span, as well. He has turned in above-average grades in both departments over those two weeks and is helping limit the damage when Baltimore’s defense does allow completions.
As a deep safety, Starks’ play has been critical in holding things down in the back end and limiting the big plays. Draft analysts knew the Ravens got a steal when they drafted Starks at pick 27 in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he had a rough start early on, he is beginning to prove that he is a star in the making.