Miami Dolphins Eye Georgia’s Malaki Starks in 2025 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins are likely to address their safety position in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Georgia standout Malaki Starks could be their answer. Starks, a 6’1, 205-pound safety, is widely considered the top player at his position and is projected to be a top-15 pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Dolphins selecting Starks at No. 13 in his first mock draft, citing his versatility and playmaking ability as key assets.

Starks has been a model of consistency during his time at Georgia, never missing a game in three seasons and starting as a freshman. In 2024, he recorded 77 tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception, adding to his career totals of 197 tackles and six interceptions. Known for his elite tackling ability and strong coverage skills, Starks has shown he can impact both the run and pass games. Scouts have also taken note of his athleticism, including his impressive leaping ability, which should shine at the NFL Combine.

The Dolphins’ safety room is in flux heading into the offseason. Jevón Holland, Jordan Poyer, and Elijah Campbell are all impending free agents, leaving Miami with limited options. The team struggled at the safety position throughout the 2024 season, failing to record a single interception and struggling with open-field tackling. According to Pro Football Focus, Starks missed just 6.9% of his tackle attempts in college, a stark contrast to the Dolphins’ struggles in this area.

Holland, once a cornerstone of the Dolphins’ defense, is coming off his worst statistical season, with no interceptions and a career-low 42 tackles in 2024. His PFF grade of 63.0 was also a career low. As one of the top safeties hitting free agency, retaining him would be costly, and Miami’s tight cap situation may force the team to move on. Poyer, meanwhile, has not delivered the level of performance Miami hoped for, leaving the position as one of the team’s weakest spots.

Drafting Starks at No. 13 would provide a cost-effective solution to address Miami’s safety concerns. Whether Holland is re-signed or not, Starks’ versatility and talent would allow him to step in as a day-one starter. His ability to line up across the field and make plays on the ball would immediately bolster a Dolphins secondary that needs a spark.

For Miami, investing in Malaki Starks would not only fill a critical defensive gap but also set the team up with a foundational piece in the secondary for years to come.