Malaki Starks S UGA.... | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Malaki Starks S UGA....

The Ghost

Stamos
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Don't be stunned if you hear this kid's name called in the first round after the words "The Miami Dolphins select" are uttered by the commissioner. This kid appears to be a blue chipper and along with OG and backup QB, Safety were the 3 biggest problems that directly affected our 2024 season. We're not taking an OG or QB in round one, so don't be surprised if this kid is on the roster next year.

There is a slew of players in that 10-20 range that all appear similarly graded, IMO. Starks is one of them, along with guys like Tyler Warren and Mason Graham that could ultimately lead to us moving down 4-5 spots, ideally with the target goal being to get that 3rd round comp pick up to the middle of the round.

Some of you guys might not be thinking safety for that pick right now but you should start. Mahomes, Allen and Jackson aren't going anywhere for a while. I'd like my chances a lot better with a premier talent like Malaki Starks on the field.

In reality, Safety is the biggest current need on the team, with the expected departure of Jevon Holland. And honestly, even if we kept Holland, I might be just as inclined to add Starks and pair them together for 4 years.

The Dolphins need a GREAT player, anywhere on the team at this point. And there is a good chance Starks is the safest pick possible when we are on the clock, so combine that with the obvious need means that we should start talking about him.
 
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Holland is out, he'll command some big bucks and his play here is far from spectacular for whatever reason. I am only a bit familiar with Starks but I would be happy with almost any blue chipper (potential) with our 1. We have to build a team to beat the Bills and that starts with D. We can get OL in FA or with other picks. If Banks/Campbell or the like is still available I wouldn't cry that's for sure
 
Need fix that OL. Fs ain't going fix main problems on this team. Drafting young qb in rd 2 or 3 wouldn't hurt either

You're not going to fix the OL in the first round. We need OG's, not OT's.

OG is shaping up to be a second round position for us for sure. Part of why I want to move down in the first is to be able to have some extra assets, in the event that OG's start rolling off the board in the second.

I also suspect signing a starting OG will be a top priority in free agency and may be the only significant need we can address before the draft. Granted we need more than one OG.

Safety is just as big a need as OG is, the only big difference is there isn't a OG version of Malaki Starks.
 
Ghost have you looked at watts and the big kid from South Carolina ?

It might be a strategy to see if they are all similar and maybe get one in the 2nd if we’re not losing too much

Not yet but they are on my agenda, I like Kevin Winston Jr. from Penn State though, he got hurt week 2 and it could push him into that late 2nd round area. I think if he were healthy all year, we wouldn't even get a shot at him in round 2.
 
I don't think that would be a bad choice. He's an excellent player, who coincidentally has the lowest percentage of missed tackles for all safeties in the class. I believe that's according to NFL Draft Buzz, and that's a pretty important attribute for safety. You miss a tackle, as the last line of defense, and it could have a huge impact on a play.

My only issue is you can find safeties pretty easily in free agency. Maybe not the caliber of Starks, but at least players who can help.
 
Yes please on Starks. Would be an excellent pick.

Only 6.7% missed tackles in college. Heck the PHINZ missed more tackles in the Packers game then Starks missed his whole college career.

The IOL, Interior D line and Safety are my main focus.

Get me Starks at 13 and say a Donvan Jackson or Tate Rutledge at 48 and that would be a home run of a draft. I also wouldnt be opposed to doubling up on safety, if we got an extra 2nd somehow
if we chose to. Say Starks at 13 and Mukuba or Winston at 48.
 
I agree with the OP. I'd not be surprised if Starks was the selection. He's got the coverage skills of a high end CB and Weaver's defense appears to be reliant on the coverage skills of his 2 and 3 safety looks. Miami's coverage metrics were in the top tier of the league. So IMHO Starks would be a fit in Weaver's scheme. There are reports Starks is one prospect that Miami has extensively scouted. So it make sense if they were interested.
 
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I don't think that would be a bad choice. He's an excellent player, who coincidentally has the lowest percentage of missed tackles for all safeties in the class. I believe that's according to NFL Draft Buzz, and that's a pretty important attribute for safety. You miss a tackle, as the last line of defense, and it could have a huge impact on a play.

My only issue is you can find safeties pretty easily in free agency. Maybe not the caliber of Starks, but at least players who can help.
I'd normally be totally onboard with the FA route...but we don't have any high-caliber young, homegrown safeties, no young starting-caliber even once Holland bounces. If we can't get an instant starter for the DL at 13, Starks wouldn't be a terrible pick, though I'd rather drop back and stock some 2nd round picks to snag some really solid DL/OL/S guys. One pick, at any position, won't get this team what it needs. IMO, 2025 and likely 2026 are a wash anyway...get young.
 
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