Cincinnati Bengals Fortify Secondary with Georgia Star Malaki Starks in Latest NFL Mock Draft Projection
As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, teams across the league are finalizing their big boards, addressing positional needs, and scouring tape on the nation’s top collegiate talent. In the latest mock draft release making waves through NFL circles, the Cincinnati Bengals make a bold yet calculated move by selecting Georgia safety Malaki Starks, a decision that could pay immediate dividends for a defense seeking stability and star power in the secondary.
The Bengals, a team that has hovered on the edge of Super Bowl contention in recent seasons thanks to a high-octane offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, have often looked to their defense as the missing puzzle piece. Despite a few key playmakers, including Trey Hendrickson and Logan Wilson, Cincinnati’s pass defense has struggled to contain high-level quarterbacks and deep-ball threats. That inconsistency, particularly in high-stakes games, has drawn increasing scrutiny toward the secondary and placed an emphasis on finding a game-changing safety to anchor the back end.
Enter Malaki Starks.
A former five-star recruit from Jefferson, Georgia, Starks burst onto the scene in Athens with immediate impact. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing around 205 pounds, he possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and intelligence that makes him the prototypical modern safety. Starks is not just a safety by designation—he’s a defensive chess piece. During his three seasons under head coach Kirby Smart, he showcased elite versatility: lining up deep in a two-high look, playing single-high center field, covering slot receivers man-to-man, and even crashing the line to stop the run.
What makes the Bengals’ selection of Starks especially compelling is how seamlessly he fits into what defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo wants to build. Known for his multiplicity on defense, Anarumo values players who can handle complex assignments and offer matchup flexibility. Starks thrives in exactly those conditions. He anticipates throws well, processes offensive schemes quickly, and has the closing speed to make plays on the ball. His 2024 season was a masterclass in consistent excellence, as he tallied multiple interceptions, forced fumbles, and was routinely credited with shutting down opposing tight ends and receivers in key moments.
For Cincinnati, this pick isn’t just about adding talent—it’s about making a statement. After losing safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell to free agency in recent offseasons, the team tried patchwork solutions but lacked a true alpha in the secondary. Dax Hill, a first-round pick in 2022, has shown flashes of promise, but his best role may be as a hybrid corner or rotational safety. The addition of Starks would allow Hill to shift into more advantageous matchups while giving the Bengals a legitimate playmaker with All-Pro upside at free safety.
The selection also reflects a growing trend in the NFL where teams are prioritizing coverage over box presence. As passing games become more explosive and tight ends more athletic, the need for rangy, instinctual safeties has never been greater. Starks gives the Bengals a player capable of not only neutralizing those threats but turning defense into offense with timely takeaways. His ball-hawking ability, evident since his freshman year at Georgia, is matched by his physicality—he isn’t afraid to step into the box and lower the boom when necessary.
Off the field, Starks brings the type of demeanor that will endear him to Cincinnati’s locker room. Coaches and teammates alike at Georgia praised his work ethic, humility, and leadership. Despite his star status, he remained coachable and hungry—traits that resonate well with head coach Zac Taylor’s emphasis on culture and accountability. The Bengals have developed a young, tight-knit core over the past few years, and Starks fits right into that mold.
Critics of the pick may point to the idea of positional value—some franchises prefer not to take safeties in the first round unless they are transformational. But that’s exactly what Malaki Starks projects to be. When a player can erase mistakes, change the math on defense, and flip momentum with a single play, he becomes more than just a position. He becomes a weapon. Starks is that type of weapon.
Moreover, the Bengals find themselves in a draft position where the top offensive tackles may be off the board, and edge rushers could come at a reach. In that scenario, taking the best player available with elite upside makes perfect sense. Starks, in most scouting circles, is a top-15 talent in this class and arguably the best safety on the board. His fall to the Bengals’ slot is a fortunate development they cannot ignore.
Statistically, Cincinnati finished middle-of-the-pack in passing defense in 2024, but those numbers are somewhat deceptive. Too often, the Bengals were burned in late-game situations or allowed big plays that shifted momentum. Bringing in a player like Starks, who excels in high-leverage moments, could be the difference between making a deep playoff run and another early exit. He has a knack for rising to the occasion—a trait that can’t be measured on paper but shows up in clutch games, particularly against top-tier SEC offenses where he routinely made standout plays.
There’s also a long-term angle to this pick. With contract extensions looming for key players and salary cap gymnastics on the horizon, the Bengals need to maximize production from players still on rookie deals. Starks offers that. His readiness to contribute from Day 1 means Cincinnati isn’t just planning for the future—they’re getting immediate returns. He’s the kind of plug-and-play defender who doesn’t need a year of development to find his footing. He’s already logged high-pressure reps in national championship settings, which translates well to the NFL’s brightest stages.
If there’s one area where Starks can still improve, it’s consistency with tackling angles and reducing missed tackles in space. But even those issues are minor compared to his overall skill set. NFL coaching, combined with his natural instincts and competitive drive, should allow him to clean up any technical flaws quickly. The ceiling here is immense. With proper development, Starks could anchor the Bengals’ secondary for the next decade, much like Ed Reed did for the Ravens or Earl Thomas for the Seahawks.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, this pick signifies a philosophical commitment. It shows Cincinnati is serious about building a championship-caliber defense to complement its high-octane offense. As much as Burrow, Chase, and the offensive line get headlines, winning in January and February requires getting off the field on third down, disguising coverages, and capitalizing on mistakes. Starks is uniquely suited to help deliver in all three phases.
From the perspective of the fanbase, this pick would likely generate significant excitement. Bengals fans, long starved for defensive consistency in the back half, would see this move as a refreshing investment in a homegrown superstar with the potential to become the face of the defense. Starks brings swagger, smarts, and SEC-tested toughness—three ingredients that translate well to Cincinnati’s gritty, blue-collar identity.
In a draft class loaded with offensive linemen and quarterbacks, the Bengals’ pivot to defense in this mock may raise a few eyebrows initially. But as the dust settles and evaluations deepen, it becomes increasingly clear: Malaki Starks is not just a need-based pick—he’s the kind of player who transforms a unit, redefines a culture, and makes good teams great.
If this projection becomes reality, don’t be surprised to see Cincinnati’s defense take a major step forward in 2025. With Malaki Starks roaming the deep middle, opposing quarterbacks may start thinking twice about testing the Bengals over the top. And for a franchise that’s been knocking on the door of greatness, that kind of fear factor might be the final ingredient needed to kick it down.
