Malaki Starks has already been established as a key player for the Baltimore Ravens. With the 2025 season just days away, the Ravens' defensive players have cast their vote, naming the rookie safety as the top candidate to break out this year. Starks earned five of the 13 votes in the team's internal poll, reporter Justin Robertson shared on Thursday.
Here's how the votes broke down:
- S Malaki Starks (5 votes)
- OLB Tavius Robinson (2 votes)
- NT Travis Jones (2 votes)
- CB T.J. Tampa (1 vote)
- ILB Trenton Simpson (1 vote)
- CB Keyon Martin (1 vote)
- DL Aeneas Peebles (1 vote)
The safety, selected with the 27th pick in the 2025 NFL draft out of Georgia, has impressed his teammates from the start of training camp.
Cornerback T.J. Tampa praised Starks' preparation and instincts.
"He had a very strong camp. He's very focused in meetings and knows what to do, and he's always in the right place," Tampa said.
Safety Kyle Hamilton, who will share the backfield with Starks, expressed optimism about his rookie teammate's potential.
"I think he has star potential, and he has an instinct that you can't teach," Hamilton said.
For defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, Starks is a "beast" and a "ballhawk."
Malaki Starks will make his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football.