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The Atlanta Falcons have only drafted 12 Georgia players since 1966, and there has been plenty of of negative commentary that has surrounded that from both fan bases for good reason.
There's the sense that the Falcons could take a Bulldog off the board early in 2025, and they certainly supported that notion by showing up in large numbers at Georgia's pro day on Wednesday. While the players most linked to the Falcons ahead of the draft have been Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, defensive back Malaki Starks was another prospect who turned heads.
He made perhaps the most impressive play of the morning, snagging an interception and proceeding to hurdle a rope following the play.
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was nothing short of impressed watching Starks performing in drills. Georgia football analyst Graham Coffey picked up on a comment Ulbrich made as he looked on.
"Goodness gracious," he said. "That's different. That might be the safest pick in the draft."
Those are some strong words, but not necessarily surprising ones considering the product Starks has displayed on the field. He finished out the 2025 season with 197 combine tackles (127 solo), 17 passes defended and six interceptions over 43 games at Georgia.
Starks did not run the 40-yard dash during pro day after he recorded a 4.5-second time at the combine in Indianapolis, but he did participate in drills in a way that increased his draft stock after he put up average numbers at the combine.
Starks is projected to be drafted in either the first or second round, with most mocks pinning him as a late first-rounder who could slide to the top of the second round.
Edge rusher and defensive back are arguably the two most important positions for the Falcons in the draft, so it will be interesting to see if they fill that void with Starks or another one of his Georgia teammates.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich deems UGA DB 'safest pick' in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
There's the sense that the Falcons could take a Bulldog off the board early in 2025, and they certainly supported that notion by showing up in large numbers at Georgia's pro day on Wednesday. While the players most linked to the Falcons ahead of the draft have been Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, defensive back Malaki Starks was another prospect who turned heads.
He made perhaps the most impressive play of the morning, snagging an interception and proceeding to hurdle a rope following the play.
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was nothing short of impressed watching Starks performing in drills. Georgia football analyst Graham Coffey picked up on a comment Ulbrich made as he looked on.
"Goodness gracious," he said. "That's different. That might be the safest pick in the draft."
Those are some strong words, but not necessarily surprising ones considering the product Starks has displayed on the field. He finished out the 2025 season with 197 combine tackles (127 solo), 17 passes defended and six interceptions over 43 games at Georgia.
Starks did not run the 40-yard dash during pro day after he recorded a 4.5-second time at the combine in Indianapolis, but he did participate in drills in a way that increased his draft stock after he put up average numbers at the combine.
Starks is projected to be drafted in either the first or second round, with most mocks pinning him as a late first-rounder who could slide to the top of the second round.
Edge rusher and defensive back are arguably the two most important positions for the Falcons in the draft, so it will be interesting to see if they fill that void with Starks or another one of his Georgia teammates.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich deems UGA DB 'safest pick' in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
