Updated Feb. 15, 2026, 7:51 p.m. ET
Former Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks has been named a breakout candidate for the Baltimore Ravens in 2026. Starks was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and played an important role for the Ravens as a rookie.
Unfortunately, Baltimore missed the postseason and fired coach John Harbaugh. A 1-5 start that featured extensive defensive struggles doomed Baltimore. The Ravens had a chance to make the playoffs with a win in Week 18, but lost to AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Part of Baltimore’s turnaround was the acquisition of former Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman. The Ravens used Gilman’s steady presence to get more out of star safety Kyle Hamilton, who had another outstanding season.
As a rookie, Starks finished the year with 84 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions. He will be one of the Ravens’ building blocks for the future, but he has room to improve.
“He (Starks) earned a solid 68.9 PFF overall grade across more than 1,000 snaps in his rookie season,” Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus wrote. “Starks’ 79.9 PFF run-defense grade was a top-20 mark among qualified safeties, and he should continue to improve in coverage with more experience.”
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If Starks can take another step in 2026, the Ravens will have a better chance of returning to the playoffs. Starks and the Baltimore defense will look to start the 2026 season better.
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