The Baltimore Ravens added a splash of Georgia power to their secondary during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting safety Malaki Starks with their first-round selection, No. 27 overall.
The move signals a commitment to strengthening a unit that’s already brimming with talent.
Before draft night, buzz had been building around the Ravens’ interest in Starks, with reports highlighting his impressive showing during interviews at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Starks recently revealed why he is excited to be joining the organization, which has long been known for its defense.
“When you watch Ravens football, you can feel it. When somebody says ‘Ravens football,’ you know what they’re talking about,” Starks said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Malaki Starks: “When you watch Ravens football, you can feel it. When somebody says Ravens football, you know what they’re talking about.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 25, 2025
Starks was a fixture for one of college football’s most dominant defenses and turned heads when he made a highlight-reel interception off Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
That playmaking ability addresses a critical need for the Ravens, who’ve struggled to generate turnovers when games matter most.
Since 2018, they’ve managed just three takeaways in nine playoff appearances.
While Starks’ college total of six interceptions might seem modest, his 17 passes defended reveal his disruptive presence.
Pairing Starks with Kyle Hamilton, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier safeties, gives the defense intriguing possibilities.
The rookie’s versatility means he can line up anywhere in the secondary, potentially freeing Hamilton to unleash his full arsenal of skills from multiple positions.
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