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Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can write a wrong from the 2022 NFL Draft by doing the same thing in round one
Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Free agency was really good to the Minnesota Vikings. They filled up all of their needs with high-profile players that will maximize the roster.

With their needs mostly filled, the Vikings go into the 2024 NFL Draft with a clean slate. They can do just about anything with their draft picks, which means that best player available is on the table.

The latest installment of our SKOL Search series focuses on a very popular name in NFL Mock Drafts for the Vikings in Georgia safety Malaki Starks.

Malaki Starks

  • Georgia
  • Height: 6007
  • Weight: 197
  • Class: Third-year Junior
  • Recruiting info: 5-star recruit in 2022 class per 247 Sports with a perfect 100 rating
  • Stats: 197 tackles (127 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, 17 passes defended 
  • Games watched: Texas 2024, Alabama 2024, Texas (SEC Championship) 2024

Strengths

  • Range: Starks is a versatile safety that can do a little bit of everything, including playing over the top. Starks doesn't have any limitations when it comes to range, as he can cross the field with ease..
  • Versatility: If you want Starks to do it, he certainly can. The Bulldogs trusted him in the box (178 snaps), slot corner (225 snaps), outside corner (5 snap), and free safety (349 snaps). He has the athleticism and ball skills to even play on the outside if needed, but the versatility Starks possesses is next-level.
  • Fluidity: When you watch Starks move, it's incredibly fluid and easy on the eyes. He flips his hips smoothly and 
  • Tackling: When Starks is in a position to get players down in the open field, he does a great job in doing so by maneuvering around defenders while absorbing and bouncing off.

Weaknesses

  • Man Coverage: Starks can do a little bit of everything but he can get exposed in man coverage. Receivers turned him around when he's playing in the slot and get quick receptoins with YAC opportunities.
  • Tackling Assertiveness: Traditionally, safeties will run through ball carriers to bring them down. Starks is a little bit hesitant when it comes to tackling, preferring to absorb the contact rather than be the aggressor.

Overview

Trait Grade

Man

8.3/10

Zone

8.9/10

Range

13.4/15

Tackling

13.3/15

Speed

8.7/10

Quickness

8.9/10

Athleticism

8.8/10

Instincts

8.7/10

Physicality

8.4/10

Grade

87.4 First Round Grade

Starks is a great prospect that can do a little bit of everything for you. If you want a guy to play in the slot, the box, or deep, he can do just that. His five-star status coming out of high school and lived up to that over his career.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores would do just that with Starks, using him just about everywhere to maximize his defense. Starks wouldn't just be a safety, he'd be a true difference-maker on all three levels. Don't let the selection of Lewis Cine hinder your ability to consider Starks, as he's an excellent prospect.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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