One of the best that is out there when it comes to the NFL draft is Daniel Jeremiah. Recently, Jeremiah was asked to give his thoughts on Malaki Starks, a popular pick mock drafts for the Indianapolis Colts.
By far the favorite selection for the Colts in the majority of mock drafts is Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. But I would guess that second on that list is Starks.
“You noticed him when he was younger and kind of popped on the scene,” Jeremiah said of Starks. “Man, he’s such an easy mover, like a fluid athlete. He just didn’t make as many plays this year. He made the big pick, a big-time athletic interception down the field in the Clemson game, and then after that just didn’t make a ton of plays.”
Starks was still very good this past season, but his ball production compared to his numbers from 2023 did take a step back. After producing three interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2023, Starks had only one interception and two pass breakups this year.
His completion rate when targeted also went from 51% to 67% and he went from allowing 11.1 yards per catch to 13.3 yards per reception.
“But real reliable,” added Jeremiah. “He’s obviously a really smooth athlete, takes really good angles. Gets guys on the ground. I like the fact that he’s young. I think his best football is still ahead of him, and I like the fact that he has safety nickel flex and can do a lot of different things.”
Starks is the top safety in this year’s class so that makes him an obvious choice for the Colts who have a major need there. But beyond that factor, Starks would also be a good fit for what new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo wants to do defensively as well.
In Anarumo’s defense, where versatility and the ability to disguise coverages is crucial, having a well-rounded safety on the back end to be the quarterback, so to speak, would be incredibly valuable.
As Jeremiah notes, Starks has the ability to fill different roles and is quite reliable. Throughout his career, along with what he brings as a coverage defenders, he’s also been a sound tackler and a good run defender also.
“To me I think it will be interesting to see how he works out and how he tests, but he’s right there to me more so in the back half of the first half than the first half of the first round,” Jeremiah said.
Perhaps if the Colts valuation of Starks is somewhat similar to that of Jeremiah’s, a trade down scenario in the first round could exist for Indianapolis. I already don’t think that’s a far fetched idea with the recipe for moving back being relatively present.