Every team could benefit from a strong safety, but the Miami Dolphins might need one more than most. With both of their starting safeties headed for free agency, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. believes they’ll land a top-tier one in the 2025 draft.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper has the Dolphins selecting Malaki Starks, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety from Georgia. Pro Football Focus ranks Starks as the top safety in the class and the seventh-best overall prospect.
Miami had one of the league’s stingiest defenses last season, finishing in the top 10 against both the run and the pass. However, neither free safety Jevon Holland nor strong safety Jordan Poyer are under contract for next year. The pair combined for 160 tackles, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 2024, playing over 90% of the team’s defensive snaps.
With PFF ranking Holland as the third-best free agent, potentially drawing a massive four-year, $98 million deal, the Dolphins may hesitate to match that kind of offer due to their cap situation. That makes Starks, with the 13th overall pick, an ideal target.
Kiper highlights Starks’ versatility and ability to excel in multiple roles, whether as a traditional safety or in the slot. After totaling 52 solo tackles and 77 overall in 2024, he’s proven to be a playmaker for Georgia.
Pro Football Network describes Starks as a “hyper-explosive” athlete with exceptional size and length, noting his ability to play a variety of roles, including deep safety, box safety, and slot coverage.
The Dolphins haven’t selected a first-round safety since drafting Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2018. While Fitzpatrick earned five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro honors with the Steelers after being traded, the Dolphins will hope Starks can deliver even more than the 18 games they got out of Fitzpatrick.