The New Orleans Saints’ 5-10 record has made the discussion around their top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft a hot topic. Recently, Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft slotted the Saints to select Georgia safety Malaki Starks at No. 10. While Starks is undoubtedly a top-tier talent, the selection questions whether addressing the safety position is right for a team with numerous glaring needs.
The Case for Malaki Starks
Malaki Starks is an electrifying defensive prospect who brings exceptional versatility and athleticism. His ability to cover a range of assignments, from deep zone coverage to slot responsibilities, has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s premier safeties. With 4.4 speed and an aggressive playing style, Starks has demonstrated he can be an enforcer in the secondary while excelling in man coverage—a rarity for players in his position.
Pro Football Network’s analysis aligns with the Saints’ traditional preference for dynamic, multi-role safeties. Under the Dennis Allen regime, safeties like Malcolm Jenkins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson epitomized this style. While Allen is no longer with the team, Starks’ versatility would make him a natural fit in New Orleans’ defensive scheme, especially if the new regime maintains a similar hybrid approach.
“Dennis Allen and his defense will be gone but not forgotten.
Malaki Starks feels like a New Orleans Saints safety. He possesses the kind of coverage versatility and ferocity in a pursuit always present in their safeties, not named Marcus Williams throughout the years.
In fact, Starks has flashed such coverage skills that it wouldn’t be surprising to see some teams give him a look at cornerback in a class with so much uncertainty at the position behind Hunter and Johnson.” Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Dalton Miller
The Current State of the Saints’ Secondary
After releasing Marcus Maye in the 2024 offseason, the Saints turned to veteran Tyrann Mathieu and former Detroit Lion Will Harris to anchor the safety positions. Now entering the twilight of his career, Mathieu has shown flashes of brilliance, but this isn’t the long-term answer. Harris has been serviceable but lacks the playmaking upside needed to elevate the secondary to elite status.
Drafting Starks could provide an immediate infusion of youth and talent to a position group that desperately needs it. Moreover, with Mathieu nearing the end of his contract and no young, promising safety currently in the pipeline, Starks would give the Saints a foundational piece for years to come.
Related: Saints Early 2025 Mock Draft (4-RDs)
Other Needs Take Priority
While Starks’ talent is undeniable, many would argue that safety is not the Saints’ most pressing need. The team has struggled mightily in the trenches on both sides of the ball, ranking near the bottom of the league in pass protection and run defense. Their offensive line has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, leaving Derek Carr and backup quarterbacks scrambling for survival. Adding a dominant offensive tackle or interior lineman could help stabilize the offense.
Defensively, the Saints’ once-vaunted pass rush has lost its edge. Veteran stalwarts like Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis are aging, and the defensive line has failed to generate consistent pressure. A dominant edge rusher or interior disruptor could provide immediate dividends and set the tone for a rebuilding unit.
Additionally, quarterback remains a long-term question mark. While Derek Carr is under contract, the Saints could use a high draft pick to invest in the position’s future, particularly with signal-callers like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward headlining the class.
Is Starks Worth the Pick at No. 10?
While safety might not top the Saints’ list of draft needs, Malaki Starks has the potential to be a transformative player. His ability to impact multiple facets of the game—run support, coverage, and even blitzing—gives him a unique skill set that isn’t easy to pass up. If the Saints’ front office believes Starks can be a cornerstone player, the selection will make sense, even if other needs are more immediate.
The Saints’ decision at No. 10 will ultimately depend on how the draft board unfolds. It may be hard to justify taking a safety if a blue-chip offensive lineman or edge rusher is available. However, if the top prospects at those positions are off the board, Starks would represent excellent value and fill a critical void in the secondary.
Final Thoughts
Selecting Malaki Starks at No. 10 would reflect a commitment to bolstering the secondary with a player capable of making an immediate and long-term impact. However, the Saints’ extensive needs in the trenches and uncertainty at quarterback might push them in a different direction. With two games left in the season, Saints fans can expect the debate over this draft pick to heat up as the offseason approaches. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: the Saints need a strong 2025 draft class to reverse their recent fortunes.
See the full breakdown of Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft here.
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