Malaki Starks-S-Georgia

Originally posted by 49erKing:

Originally posted by Butter:

Like I said, I don't watch many college games. But all three played in the SEC from major programs. Mukuba had 5 ints this year, Bowman had 6 ints last year. It's not like are slubs.

You may right, Starks may be a generational talent. But if the Niners can get a ball hawking safety in rounds 2-4, there is still value there.

I keep selecting Moore in the later rounds in my PFF mock draft but per this article he'll probably go in 2 or 3, especially if he crushes the combine (if he goes):

This draft seems to have some depth at safety. I highlighted Mukuba and Bowman because I'm hoping they get some legit speed back there.

If Starks runs in the 4.3s i don't know how we pass on him at #11

The more I think about the way this draft stacks up the more I feel like unless Mason Graham falls to us we take Starks at 11.

Then I want to see 3 DL and 1 IOL with our 2nd, 2 3rds, and top of the 4th.

For the 3 DL using the 2019 DL as the template there are 3 types I want to see us fill that I feel have been missing:
1. A stud every down DT (like Buckner)
2. A flexible player who can play big end in base downs and kick inside on passing downs (like armstead, really liking what Darius Alexander showed at the Senior Bowl for this) - part of a renewed commitment to stopping the run and keep our LBs free to attack.
3. A twitched up pass rush specialist - speed, bend off the edge for obvious passing downs (Dee Ford)

I think with continued development Andersen can be our space eater on base downs (a la DJ Jones) but would love to see another 6/7/UDFA in that mold to compete.

I really want to see the team find a way to spend for Dalman in FA. We need a premier run blocking center to really make this offense go.

nm

Originally posted by CornellU49er:
The more I think about the way this draft stacks up the more I feel like unless Mason Graham falls to us we take Starks at 11.

Then I want to see 3 DL and 1 IOL with our 2nd, 2 3rds, and top of the 4th.

For the 3 DL using the 2019 DL as the template there are 3 types I want to see us fill that I feel have been missing:
1. A stud every down DT (like Buckner)
2. A flexible player who can play big end in base downs and kick inside on passing downs (like armstead, really liking what Darius Alexander showed at the Senior Bowl for this) - part of a renewed commitment to stopping the run and keep our LBs free to attack.
3. A twitched up pass rush specialist - speed, bend off the edge for obvious passing downs (Dee Ford)

I think with continued development Andersen can be our space eater on base downs (a la DJ Jones) but would love to see another 6/7/UDFA in that mold to compete.

I really want to see the team find a way to spend for Dalman in FA. We need a premier run blocking center to really make this offense go.

Given SF's past at S, I'll be shocked if they take Starks at 11.

Daniel Jeremiah has Starks ranked #33 in his top 50. He may in fact be better than that but I just wouldn't take a safety with our first pick when we have so many needs on both lines.

Trade up for Graham if it won't cost more than a 3rd, stick at 11 and draft Campbell if he is there, or trade down and take someone like Banks or Green would be my strategy.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
If Starks runs in the 4.3s i don't know how we pass on him at #11

I like Starks at 11 no matter what. He could be a little talent and still be the pick for me

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Daniel Jeremiah has Starks ranked #33 in his top 50. He may in fact be better than that but I just wouldn't take a safety with our first pick when we have so many needs on both lines.

Trade up for Graham if it won't cost more than a 3rd, stick at 11 and draft Campbell if he is there, or trade down and take someone like Banks or Green would be my strategy.

There's been one safety drafted in the 1st rd since 2020 (Hamilton).

It's one of the least impactful positions. You need a true elite level ball hawk S to make it worth it. Starks ain't that.

I highly doubt they go this direction.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
There's been one safety drafted in the 1st rd since 2020 (Hamilton).

It's one of the least impactful positions. You need a true elite level ball hawk S to make it worth it. Starks ain't that.

I highly doubt they go this direction.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

If Starks isn't a ballhawk, I don't know who is anymore honestly. People need to keep in mind that he wasn't even playing his normal safety spot much of this season, the Georgia defense had him playing a star sort of hybrid instead.


Also teams being dumb and overlooking safeties isn't reason to pass one up. Hamilton is a beast on the back end and should have never gotten to Baltimore in the first place. Smart teams make smart moves, dumb teams do dumb stuff.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

If Starks isn't a ballhawk, I don't know who is anymore honestly. People need to keep in mind that he wasn't even playing his normal safety spot much of this season, the Georgia defense had him playing a star sort of hybrid instead.

Malaki Starks is reportedly thought to be the "best safety to enter the draft this decade" by one NFL scout.

Several NFL scouts believe Starks is "worthy" of a Top-8 pick in this year's draft.

A comparison that comes up often among scouts when talking about Starks is Earl… pic.twitter.com/W2bNooTErC

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 8, 2025

Also teams being dumb and overlooking safeties isn't reason to pass one up. Hamilton is a beast on the back end and should have never gotten to Baltimore in the first place. Smart teams make smart moves, dumb teams do dumb stuff.

Agreed. He's my #2 after Mason Graham.

He will transform our entire D. We play a single shell coverage and haven't had a FS than can properly play the position,

Our D was excellent with a prime Jimmy Ward and pretty good with Tashaun Gipson deep and a healthy Talanoa Hufunga in the box.

This D would transform to another level with Starks roaming the secondary and Mustafa in the box.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Daniel Jeremiah has Starks ranked #33 in his top 50. He may in fact be better than that but I just wouldn't take a safety with our first pick when we have so many needs on both lines.

Trade up for Graham if it won't cost more than a 3rd, stick at 11 and draft Campbell if he is there, or trade down and take someone like Banks or Green would be my strategy.

There's been one safety drafted in the 1st rd since 2020 (Hamilton).

It's one of the least impactful positions. You need a true elite level ball hawk S to make it worth it. Starks ain't that.

I highly doubt they go this direction.

It's most definitely is an impact position if you have an impact player.

You need to watch more Georgia games if you don't think Starks is a ball hawk. He's by far the best safety and arguably the best DB to come out in the past decade.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

If Starks isn't a ballhawk, I don't know who is anymore honestly. People need to keep in mind that he wasn't even playing his normal safety spot much of this season, the Georgia defense had him playing a star sort of hybrid instead.

Malaki Starks is reportedly thought to be the "best safety to enter the draft this decade" by one NFL scout.

Several NFL scouts believe Starks is "worthy" of a Top-8 pick in this year's draft.

A comparison that comes up often among scouts when talking about Starks is Earl… pic.twitter.com/W2bNooTErC

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 8, 2025

Also teams being dumb and overlooking safeties isn't reason to pass one up. Hamilton is a beast on the back end and should have never gotten to Baltimore in the first place. Smart teams make smart moves, dumb teams do dumb stuff.

Our safeties are constantly out of position and taking bad angles. I think people keep underestimating the impact a stud safety can have on the defense. I would have no problem taking him @11.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
Daniel Jeremiah has Starks ranked #33 in his top 50. He may in fact be better than that but I just wouldn't take a safety with our first pick when we have so many needs on both lines.

Trade up for Graham if it won't cost more than a 3rd, stick at 11 and draft Campbell if he is there, or trade down and take someone like Banks or Green would be my strategy.

There's been one safety drafted in the 1st rd since 2020 (Hamilton).

It's one of the least impactful positions. You need a true elite level ball hawk S to make it worth it. Starks ain't that.

I highly doubt they go this direction.

What makes you say he's not an elite ballhawk?

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
There's been one safety drafted in the 1st rd since 2020 (Hamilton).

It's one of the least impactful positions. You need a true elite level ball hawk S to make it worth it. Starks ain't that.

I highly doubt they go this direction.

Fixed it more. That whole paragraph deserved to be bold