Baltimore Ravens Believe Georgia Star Malaki Starks Can Form Elite Safety Duo With Kyle Hamilton for Dominant Defensive Future
The Baltimore Ravens have long been one of the NFL’s most consistent franchises when it comes to identifying and developing defensive talent. From the days of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to more recent stars like Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith, the Ravens have consistently built their identity on a punishing, intelligent, and well-coached defense. Now, as the franchise looks to stay competitive in a brutally tough AFC, all eyes are on the secondary—and more specifically, on the potential pairing of Malaki Starks with standout safety Kyle Hamilton.
The thought of Hamilton and Starks roaming the back end of the defense has Ravens fans and personnel buzzing with anticipation. Both players bring unique attributes that complement each other perfectly. Hamilton is the rangy, instinctive chess piece who can cover ground, blitz, and play near the line of scrimmage, while Starks is a smooth, technically-sound, versatile coverage safety with elite instincts and a high football IQ. The two could form one of the most dynamic safety tandems in the NFL for years to come.
For Baltimore, the potential addition of Starks isn’t just a depth move—it’s a strategic one. Kyle Hamilton has already emerged as one of the league’s top young safeties. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 220 pounds, Hamilton plays a hybrid role in Mike Macdonald’s defense (now potentially adapting under new DC Zach Orr), often lining up everywhere from the slot to the box to deep centerfield. His versatility makes him a unique weapon, but it also means he needs a reliable, athletic, and intelligent partner next to him who can take on a wide range of responsibilities. That’s where Malaki Starks comes in.
Starks was a five-star recruit coming out of Jefferson High School in Georgia and has quickly lived up to that hype during his time at the University of Georgia. Under Kirby Smart’s disciplined and pro-style defensive system, Starks emerged as a star in one of the best defenses in college football history. As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact, and over his first two years, he solidified his place as one of the nation’s top defensive backs.
What makes Starks so appealing to NFL scouts—and to the Ravens in particular—is his rare blend of athleticism, intelligence, and toughness. He plays with a calm poise, rarely out of position, and he has an innate understanding of route concepts and offensive tendencies. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he has the size to handle tight ends in man coverage and the speed to stay with receivers in space. He’s also a willing and effective tackler, something Baltimore always values highly in its defensive backs.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has not been shy about his admiration for the Georgia program in recent years. Baltimore has drafted or signed multiple former Bulldogs over the past few drafts, including linebacker Roquan Smith (via trade) and defensive tackle Travis Jones, and the front office clearly trusts the development pipeline coming out of Athens. It’s no surprise then that Starks is firmly on their radar as the franchise eyes a future in which its secondary becomes the most feared in the league.
When asked about the possibility of pairing Hamilton with another top-tier safety, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh didn’t name names but hinted at the desire to build around a versatile, two-deep system. “We love the flexibility Kyle gives us,” Harbaugh said. “But to really maximize what he does best, we need someone who can handle coverage responsibilities, make reads quickly, and play mistake-free football. That’s the goal.”
If that sounds like Malaki Starks, that’s because it is.
What’s particularly fascinating about the potential fit between Hamilton and Starks is how their skill sets would allow Baltimore to disguise coverages and confuse even the most experienced quarterbacks. Hamilton thrives when asked to roam and react—he can crash down on short throws, run with tight ends, and blow up screens. But he can also be exposed if left too long in deep coverage against elite speed. Starks, meanwhile, has shown he can patrol the deep third with calm precision, breaking on throws with elite closing speed and rarely biting on fakes.
Together, the two safeties could allow Baltimore to play more split-safety looks, alternate between Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells seamlessly, and bring creative blitzes without exposing the back end. It’s the type of flexibility that could elevate the Ravens’ defense from very good to elite.
It also comes at a pivotal time in the AFC landscape. With quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, and Justin Herbert all leading high-powered offenses, defenses must adapt quickly. Having two safeties who can cover ground, tackle in space, and process quickly is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. The days of the traditional strong and free safety roles are fading. In today’s NFL, safeties must be interchangeable, hybrid athletes who can handle zone coverage, man assignments, and run fits with equal ease.
Malaki Starks projects as exactly that kind of modern safety. And the Ravens, always ahead of the curve when it comes to defensive innovation, understand what that could mean.
Another layer to the intrigue is the leadership aspect. Hamilton, still just entering his prime, has quickly become a vocal and respected presence in the locker room. Adding another high-character, driven player like Starks would only enhance the defensive culture. Those around the Georgia program consistently praise Starks for his work ethic, humility, and football IQ—qualities the Ravens covet as much as physical talent.
It’s also worth noting that Baltimore has had some uncertainty in the safety room outside of Hamilton. Veteran Marcus Williams has dealt with injuries, and while Geno Stone performed admirably in his absence last season, he departed in free agency. Depth and long-term planning are front and center, and the Ravens know that building around a young core could set them up for sustained success.
The AFC North remains one of the most physical and defensively-driven divisions in the NFL. Pittsburgh continues to lean on its pass rush, Cleveland boasts one of the league’s best defensive lines, and Cincinnati’s young secondary has shown flashes of elite play. For Baltimore, staying ahead requires not just matching that intensity but evolving past it. A Hamilton-Starks duo would be a game-changer in that arms race.
While nothing is set in stone, and the 2025 NFL Draft is still months away, the early signs are that the Ravens have their eyes fixed on the Georgia star. If he declares—and all signs suggest he will—Starks could be one of the first defensive backs off the board. And if Baltimore is in a position to make that move, don’t be surprised if they pull the trigger.
It would be a statement—not just of belief in Starks, but of a clear plan to shape the future of their defense around two of the most talented, versatile, and intelligent young safeties in the league. A defense built around that kind of foundation is one that can weather any storm, handle any matchup, and take the field with a swagger reminiscent of the Ravens’ greatest eras.
Hamilton and Starks may have taken different paths to this point—Notre Dame to Baltimore for Hamilton, and Georgia’s powerhouse pipeline for Starks—but their destinies could very well intersect in purple and black. And if they do, the rest of the NFL would be wise to take notice. Baltimore might just be building the next legendary safety tandem—and doing so in a way that echoes its own rich defensive tradition, with a modern twist perfectly suited for today’s game.
