Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) makes a tackle on Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) during the second half in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Malaki Starks S Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Malaki Starks S Georgia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (98%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.2 DOB: 11/13/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (98%*) | |
| Age: 21.2 DOB: 11/13/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 88.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 88.6 | |
| Tackling: |
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94% |
| Run Defense: |
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94% |
| Coverage: |
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81% |
| Zone: |
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80% |
| Man/Press: |
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77% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#17
Position rank:
#5
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 2354 | ||
ESPN RATING: 90/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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| Lewis Cine - Georgia |
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77% |
| Daxton Hill - Michigan |
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68% |
| Brian Branch - Alabama |
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65% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Malaki Starks established himself as one of college football's most complete safeties during his three-year career at Georgia. A five-star recruit with elite athleticism, Starks transformed from high school track star into an enforcer for the Bulldogs' defense, starting 40 of 41 games from 2022-2024. His freshman campaign yielded 68 tackles and earned First Team Freshman All-America honors, followed by Consensus All-American recognition in 2023 where he notched 52 tackles and 3 interceptions.The former state champion sprinter (10.55 100m) and long jumper (24-9) brought rare athletic tools to Athens, but it was his development into an elite run defender that truly set him apart. While his coverage skills steadily improved each season, his dominance against the run became his calling card, particularly evident in key SEC matchups. His statistical progression shows growing comfort in all phases, highlighted by a signature performance in the 2024 SEC Championship with 8 tackles and 2 TFLs against Texas.
Beyond the measurables, Starks proved most valuable as a tone-setter in Georgia's run defense. His combination of track speed and physical play helped him develop into one of the SEC's most reliable tacklers, rarely missing opportunities to finish plays. His elite closing burst and consistent technique made him a defensive cornerstone during Georgia's championship runs.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite run defender who diagnoses quickly and triggers downhill with exceptional explosiveness and angles of pursuit
- Phenomenal tackler with rare combination of technique and physicality, consistently drives through contact with proper form
- Outstanding strength at point of attack against blockers, shows advanced hand usage to shed and make plays in traffic
- Plays with controlled aggression in run support, maintains gap integrity while showing ability to redirect runners
- Good recognition skills in zone coverage with ability to read quarterback intentions and break on throws
- Verified track speed translates to impressive range when aligned deep
- Shows solid plant-and-drive ability against intermediate routes, particularly in match-zone concepts
- Natural leader who commanded Georgia's defensive backfield with consistent communication
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can improve transitional quickness when changing directions in man coverage against shifty slots
- Sometimes a beat late recognizing route combinations in zone, particularly against multiple vertical threats
- Occasional overaggressive angles in deep coverage lead to missed opportunities to make plays on the ball
- Coverage technique from press alignment remains a work in progress, especially against quick releases
- Could develop better consistency timing his breaks on throws in front of him from off coverage
Scouting Report: Summary
Starks enters the NFL as one of the draft's most pro-ready run defenders from the safety position. His elite tackling grades and remarkable consistency against the run will translate immediately to the next level, while his coverage skills offer a solid foundation to build upon.His best fit comes with teams that heavily involve their safeties in run support and rely on split-safety zone coverage concepts. While his man coverage abilities are developing, his elite run defense instincts and reliable tackling make him an immediate three-down starter who can impact the game primarily in the box and intermediate zones.
Projecting forward, Starks has the physical tools and football IQ to develop into a complete safety as his coverage skills catch up to his elite run-defense ability. Smart defensive coordinators will maximize his strengths early by deploying him as an aggressive box defender while allowing his coverage game to evolve naturally within their scheme.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Malaki Starks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
10.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.