Could the Colts be looking to upgrade the backend of their starting secondary with one of the draft’s top prospects?
According to PFF, Georgia safety Malaki Starks was named their ‘perfect 2025 NFL Draft prospect for the Indianapolis Colts’ come this late April’s NFL Draft—as the Horseshoe currently has the 14th overall pick:
Indianapolis Colts: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
The Colts need help everywhere on defense, as evidenced by six starters missing at least 15 tackles in 2024. Malaki Starks lined up all over Georgia‘s defense, allowing just 53 completed balls on 90 throws into his coverage the past two seasons with four picks and 12 forced incompletions. His play against the run is even more impressive, as he totaled 22 stops while missing just three tackles since the start of 2023.
The listed 6’1,” 205 pound junior safety for the Bulldogs recorded 77 tackles (52 solo), 4 tackles for loss, an interception, and 3 passes defensed during 14 starts in 2024—earning First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors (the latter for a consecutive year).
He was a CFP National Champion back in the 2022 season for Georgia.
#Georgia S Malaki Starks has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. The top ranked safety in this years class. Instincts, ball skills and a high football IQ. pic.twitter.com/DpWsHmNKNg
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 6, 2025
Oh my goodness. This is why Malaki Starks is a blue chip prospect pic.twitter.com/NqkR9qS3G9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 31, 2024
While Colts’ 3rd-year pro Nick Cross had a bit of a breakout 2024 campaign—as the AFC’s leading tackler at safety (146 total tackles), showing a knack for the football, returning starter (and pending free agent) Julian Blackmon struggled (possibly playing through lingering injuries).
With most of their reported defensive coordinator candidates deploying more aggressive schemes than the softer Cover 2/Cover 3 zone coverages of Indy predecessors, the Colts will likely be looking for more dynamic impact play from the backend of their secondary.
From that standpoint, Starks is regarded among draft gurus as a top safety prospect.
