Luck is a finicky sort of thing. It can show up when you least expect it, and it can disappear when you need it the most. There's no predictability with luck. It creates a level playing field for all and doesn't play favorites... but somehow it feels like the Baltimore Ravens find Lady Luck annually come draft night.
The 2025 NFL Draft was the most recent example of the Ravens getting lucky. Malaki Starks, the uber-talented safety out of Georgia, fell all the way to No. 27, where general manager Eric DeCosta patiently waited to stop the slide. The pick was widely considered one of the biggest steals of the draft, and it proved — once again — DeCosta's waiting game and best player available approach will get rewarded year in and year out.
Starks' fit in Baltimore feels like a glove. He can play all over the field, allowing Kyle Hamilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Starks is a ballhawk and his ability to see everything from the deep safety spot will help this Baltimore defense become even scarier. Because if there's one obvious thing this unit needs, it's getting the football back in the offense's hands. And Starks already knows it.
Malaki Starks is going to be a turnover machine for the Ravens
Appearing on the Stacking the Box podcast, promoting Tide, Starks was asked what his biggest strength was — what will the Ravens get from him. His response was music to fans ears:
"Just being able to attack the ball and you know high point the ball and also learn how to take the ball away. I think that was a big thing at the University of Georgia. Like the game of football is all about the football. They really taught us how to take the ball away," Starks responded.
And what a perfect response it was. He keeps saying the right things. The 2024 Ravens' defense was not the same self fans have grown accustomed to watching in years past. Last season's 17 turnovers were significantly fewer than the 31 they had in 2023, and the 25 they had in 2022. So, Starks' understanding of how to take the football away will be welcomed on Day 1.
The Ravens didn’t draft Starks just because he’s athletic. They drafted him because he understands what winning football looks like. He’s been coached at the highest level, he knows how to make game-changing plays, and he brings the exact mindset Baltimore needs to restore their turnover-hungry identity on defense. That’s the kind of player you want flying around on Sundays — someone who takes pride in being the one who gets the ball back.
And for Starks, that attention to detail goes beyond the field. He recently partnered with Tide: Tide OXI Boost Power PODS is Tide’s most powerful clean yet and my clothes – both on and off the field – need it! Each pod packs 2x the cleaning power, so you can count on that next-level clean every time.
