With less than a month until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins’ secondary remains a work in progress. Whether it’s a cornerback or a safety, drafting a defensive back in the first round could solidify one of the roster’s largest issues.
On Tuesday, Kevin Nogle, the Phinsider’s managing editor, projected South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori as the Dolphins’ first-round pick. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah followed suit in his latest mock draft.
After projecting Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. in his initial mock and Alabama guard Tyler Booker in 2.0, Jeremiah flipped to the defensive side and selected Malaki Starks for the Dolphins at No. 13.
“The further we get into the evaluation process, the more teams I find that are in love with Starks’ game,” Jeremiah wrote. “He would be a plug-and-play replacement for Jevon Holland, with the versatility to play as a high safety or nickelback.”
Drafting Starks, a two-time First-Team All-SEC safety during his time with the Bulldogs, would add another flexible piece on the back line of Anthony Weaver’s defense. He led Georgia with 77 tackles while starting 13 games last season.
Despite signing safeties Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu in free agency, Starks has the potential to start on Day One and develop into a long-term defensive pillar, something the Dolphins could use after losing Holland to the New York Giants.
Whether it’s Starks or Emmanwori, a first-round investment at safety could be the difference-maker Miami needs in the secondary.
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