The 32 NFL beat writers for The Athletic recently put together a group 2025 NFL mock draft. So who did the Indianapolis Colts come away with?
At pick No. 14, and with Tyler Warren already taken, James Boyd had the Colts draft another big need, by taking safety Malaki Starks from Georgia.
“Indianapolis needs to upgrade at safety, and Starks is widely considered the best one in this year’s draft class,” wrote Boyd. “His athleticism, high IQ and versatility will be crucial in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system, which has typically heaped a lot of responsibility on its safeties.”
Starks has shown to be a do-it-all defensive back who can line up across the secondary and can fill a variety of roles.
As Boyd notes, in Lou Anarumo’s defense, where versatility and the ability to disguise coverages is vital, having a well-rounded safety on the back end to quarterback things, so to speak, is incredibly valuable.
With that said, for the reasons just mentioned, that could be why we see the Colts attempt to address this need in free agency, with the hope of adding experience on the back end to help with this transition to a new scheme.
Starks has been a sound tackler during his career at Georgia, missing fewer than 7% of his total attempts. As a coverage defender, he’s allowed a completion rate of 61% with six interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
For more on Starks, here is a snippet of what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his pre-draft report:
“Three-year starter with reams of high-leverage games on his résumé. Starks is a versatile safety with the size and athleticism to eliminate contested catches and the speed and ball skills to shine when the action travels deep.”
In addition to the Colts needing improved play from the safety position and in the secondary as a whole, depth is huge need as well. Currently under contract at safety for the 2025 season are Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo.
If Warren is off the board, as he was in this instance, I do think trading down in this year’s draft is very much in play for the Colts.