Baltimore Ravens rookie Malaki Starks could be a starter immediately.
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best safeties in the entire NFL in Kyle Hamilton, and now they may have another star at the position on their hands.
Advertisement
In a recent article by PFF, they give some key players on every team's starting lineup, as well as some rookies to watch. For the reigning AFC North champions, they list rookie safety Malaki Starks as someone who could make an immediate impact.
"With Ar'Darius Washington's 2025 season in jeopardy due to a torn Achilles in May, Malaki Starks has very little standing in his way from starting at safety opposite Kyle Hamilton," PFF wrote. "He was stellar during his three years at Georgia, earning an 87.5 career PFF overall grade. If Starks can live up to his first-round billing, Baltimore could quickly have the best safety pairing in the league with both players still under 25 years old."
The Ravens selected Starks out of Georgia with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With the team allowing the second-most passing yards in the league in 2024, drafting secondary was in the team's best interests.
Starks finished his final season with the Bulldogs with an interception, three passes defended, and 77 total tackles, four of them being for a loss.
Advertisement
The Ravens are coming off of a loss in the AFC Divisional to the Buffalo Bills, so Starks and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the playoffs to redeem themselves.
Related: 'Remarkably Consistent' Ravens Dubbed Second-Most Complete Team
Related: Ravens Star Defender Awkwardly Due For Improved 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
7 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Lamar Jackson fantasy football preview 2025: Stats, season outlook, predictions
Rotoworld Staff, Lamar Jackson 2025 Fantasy Preview 2024: For the first time since 2019, Jackson was QB1 in fantasy points per game while scoring the most total points for a quarterback in a season ever. His ridiculous passing stat line of 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and (only) four interceptions on only 27.8 passing attempts per game put him in rare air. Oh, and he also happened to run for another 915 yards and four touchdowns for fun. What's Changed: Not much has changed much on the Ravens' offense outside of a few minor shifts along the offensive line and bringing in DeAndre Hopkins. The latter should help Jackson even more in the passing game, specifically in the red zone area. 2025 Outlook: You shouldn't think too much when it comes to Jackson as he's a walking 3,500-yard, 30-plus touchdown passer who will approach 1,000 rushing yards in every single season. He shouldn't be taken lower than the second quarterback in fantasy drafts depending on preference. Get personalized fantasy football insights based on your league settings with FantasyLife+. Your league is unique, your advice should be too. Head to and use code ROTO20 for 20% off. **Projections from Spotlight Sports Group Go to: All players | QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs
CBS News
9 hours ago
- CBS News
Baltimore Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush to get more reps against former team
Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush is expected to get more playing time on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys, his former team, in the second preseason game. Rush previously had success in a backup role for Dallas, taking over games for injured starter Dak Prescott. He signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Ravens this offseason to be two-time MVP Lamar Jackson's primary backup. On Saturday, the Ravens will play in Dallas, where Rush played for eight years. Rush said on Wednesday that he's more focused on showing the Ravens he belongs on the roster, rather than showcasing anything to his former team. "I've been really trying to show [my] current team I'm doing well, Rush said. "Things like that are the main focus. I'm getting ready to play. Those games do matter. Those preseason games do help guys in my position. Those reps do count. You learn from them, so when you have to go out there in the real thing, it works." The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 24-16, last week in the first preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. In that game, Rush completed two of his four passes for 16 yards but was intercepted and sacked once. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh plans on more playing time for Rush, followed by third-string Devin Leary. Lamar Jackson will not play. "Cooper Rush, he is a professional. He's a pro" Harbaugh said. "[He] operates the offense well, makes great decisions, handles the protections, and gets the ball out on time. [He is an] accurate passer. I think he's a winning quarterback. You see that every day in practice." Rush started eight games for the Dallas Cowboys last season while Dak Prescott was injured. The 31-year-old Central Michigan product finished the season with a passer rating of 83.8. He has appeared in 38 games in his career since making his debut in 2017 with the Cowboys. Rush played in nine games for Dallas in 2022, and posted a 4-1 record.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Michael Phelps links up with Ravens to provide swimming lessons for players
Marlon Humphrey's request to Michael Phelps was answered on Tuesday when the Olympic swimming legend visited Baltimore Ravens training camp to help players learn how to swim. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Two weeks ago, Humphrey posted a video on social media featuring several teammates asking Phelps for lessons since a number of players did not know how to swim. Phelps responded that he was down to help, and the swimming G.O.A.T. was in Owings Mills, Maryland, this week to make it happen. After taking a tour of the Ravens' new aquatic center and checking out practice with his 7-year-old son, Beckett, and franchise great Ray Lewis, Phelps got to watch some players take part in a diving contest and a swimming race, then it was time to get down to business. Those who wanted help learning to swim received lessons from the 23-time Olympic gold medalist and members of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which provides learn-to-swim classes to help prevent drowning and raise self-esteem and wellness. Players used pool noodles and kickboards to improve their skills and build confidence in the water. "If I have to swim less than 20 yards, I could survive somehow because I could doggy paddle," said Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. "But as far as actually swimming and knowing how to breathe and things of that nature, honestly, it was my first time. It was really cool. It was really solid, some of the lessons they gave me. I feel a little more confident." To thank Phelps, a Baltimore native and a big Ravens fan, for his help, the team made a $100,000 donation to his foundation. "I didn't know what I was getting into. I had no idea what their comfort level was," Phelps said via the Ravens website. "When I see the guys in there and some of the guys who are literally working on floating and breathing, and they're focused on paying attention to those details, it shows their vulnerability, especially when they're uncomfortable. "It was a special day. Racing some of the fellas in the 25 [meter]. My son raced some of the guys. It was a great day. I truly hope they learned something, hopefully got some confidence, and hopefully can transition into something else."
