Bengals snag a bonafide steal who would instantly improve their defense in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
No one knows how the Cincinnati Bengals will alter their defense quite yet, but we all know coaching and personnel will be significantly different on that side of the ball next season.Plenty of attention is rightfully on the defensive line as generating ancillary pass rush alongside Trey Hendrickson is of upmost importance. Adding a potentially […]
No one knows how the Cincinnati Bengals will alter their defense quite yet, but we all know coaching and personnel will be significantly different on that side of the ball next season.
Plenty of attention is rightfully on the defensive line as generating ancillary pass rush alongside Trey Hendrickson is of upmost importance. Adding a potentially elite safety also can't be dismissed as a course of action with the club still looking for a true Jessie Bates III replacement.
Cincinnati landed on its next attempt in that search in Ryan Roberts' latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft for A to Z Sports.
Bengals stop Malaki Starks' fall with the 17th pick in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
The Bengals are in an interesting spot in the first round with the 17th overall pick. They selected Starks' former teammate, Amarius Mims, with the 18th pick in last year's draft and very much liked how his rookie season unfolded. It may not be a top-10 pick, but they can draft a high-quality player nonetheless.
Starks absolutely fits that billing, and it would be considered surprising to see him on the board after 16 picks. He would likely take Geno Stone's spot and fit right next to Jordan Battle to form a safety tandem the Bengals can build around.
Quite simply, the Bengals need to get better on defense anyway they can. In this scenario, Starks somehow falls to them. The Georgia safety is one of the best overall defenders in the class, bringing outstanding range and instincts to the table. – A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts
Roberts went as far to say he would take Starks with a top-five pick if he could.
"I would take him that early," Roberts said on The First Team NFL Draft Show. "I don't think the NFL is necessarily going to take him that early but when I look at this player, I mean when you talk about the elite players potentially in the 2025 NFL draft, I don't think there's a conversation that could be had without Malaki Starks. Incredibly athletic, incredibly experienced, really just a sensational football player that's going to go very high in this year.
"If not top 10, very shortly after."
Starks, who declared for the draft a week ago, played and started three seasons for the Bulldogs and turned 21 years old this past November. He had ample playing time as a free safety, in the box, and in the slot and excelled in all three general positions. He leaves Athens with six interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and just four penalties to his name according to Pro Football Focus.
He may not be a pass rusher or an offensive lineman, but Starks would absolutely bring value to a Bengals' defense in need of a restart. It would be tough to see him fall past their pick.
Georgia star Malaki Starks might be the best Bulldogs NFL Draft defensive prospect in over 20 years
Georgia has put a ton of defensive talent into the NFL over the years, and safety Malaki Starks might be the best in a long time
