Dolphins High On S Malaki Starks; No Pre-Draft Visit Planned

The Dolphins, as expected, saw Jevon Holland depart on the open market. Since they have also elected not to retain fellow starter Jordan Poyer, safety is a position of need entering the draft.

Many mock drafts from the end of the 2024 campaign and shortly thereafter understandably connected Miami to safety Malaki Starks. The Georgia product has long been seen as one of the two Day 1 prospects at the position, being joined in that regard by South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori. The latter’s stock has increased since his impressive Combine performance, but Starks is still drawing interest from the Dolphins.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports the team “thinks highly” of Starks, an indication he will receive consideration for the No. 13 pick. Jackson notes no pre-draft visit has been lined up yet, but he adds general manager Chris Grier was in attendance at Georgia’s Pro Day. Information gleaned from that event will help inform the Dolphins’ decision with their top selection.

Starks made an immediate impact for the Bulldogs, starting 14 games as a freshman for the national champions. He followed that up with a highly productive season, racking up three interceptions and seven pass deflections en route to first-team All-SEC and All-American nods. The junior was unable to match those feats in 2024, with his production taking a step back. Still, he earned second-team honors on both fronts and continued to occupy a highly versatile role on Georgia’s defense.

To be clear, Jackson writes the Dolphins have strong evaluations of “several other” prospects in the range of their first-round selection. Considering Miami is also among the potential suitors which has hosted Emmanwori, Starks is certainly not a lock to be selected by the team. Nevertheless, safety is a position to watch as the Dolphins look to further re-tool at that spot during the remainder of the offseason.

Returnees Elijah Campbell and Patrick McMorris have been joined on the roster by free agent signings Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu. It would come as no surprise if one or more rookies were added to that group, and Starks could be among them.