A recent mock draft from Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network has the Indianapolis Colts drafting Georgia safety Malaki Starks at pick No. 14.
As we all know that the safety position is a huge need for the Colts to address this offseason. There were too many big plays given up, quarterbacks were too efficient, there wasn’t enough pass deflections or breakups, and depth is very much a need as well.
So the Colts selecting Starks, who is the top safety in this class, is a popular pick in mock drafts.
However, as Cummings notes, Starks’ fit with the Colts goes beyond them needing more safety help. Starks is also a “perfect” fit for new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense.
“Malaki Starks is a perfect fit because he can play single-high, two-high, or man the slot against larger targets,” wrote Cummings. “His amalgamation of tools gives him a blue-chip upside.”
As Cummings mentioned, Starks is extremely versatile and can line up all over the defensive backfield. He also comes to the NFL as a capable run defender and someone with good ball production as well.
Starks can wear a variety of hats and that is exactly what’s needed at the safety position in Anarumo’s defense. Known as the “Mad Scientist” in Cincinnati, Anarumo’s scheme is very disguise heavy and is predicated on running a variety of different looks from just a few personnel groupings.
That element then plays a role in keeping the offense off-balanced and guessing. And the results for Anarumo over the years have consisted of having productive defensive backs and limiting some of the game’s top quarterbacks.
“Going through the playoffs and things like that and to the Super Bowl, you have to keep those great quarterbacks off balance,” Anarumo said via ESPN.
“I think you have to make them uncomfortable. Even the best ones, at times, you’re not going to fool them all day. But if it’s in the most critical situation, that’s what you’re hoping to do. And, certainly, we’ve had some success doing that.”
Anarumo’s defensive scheme in itself can help elevate the play of the Colts’ secondary. But the other part of that equation is that GM Chris Ballard can’t keep sticking with the status quo either. Additions have to be made, and when it comes to fit with what Anarumo wants to accomplish schematically, Starks would help provide him with that flexibility.