The Buccaneers re-signed wide receiver Chris Godwin this offseason to make sure their offensive core returned around quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have made the postseason in back-to-back years and they’re likely looking to take the next step in 2025. Keeping their best players on the team is a good start to that goal.
Defensively, the Bucs have finished in the bottom half of the league in each of the past two seasons. Ideally, Tampa Bay wants to find a way for both sides of the ball to be above average next season.
With that in mind, Mike Kiwak of Bucs Nation has chosen to use the 19th overall pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft on Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Kiwak: The Buccaneers need a viable starter at safety, where Jordan Whitehead was released after a disappointing reunion, or slot corner, which might be vacated by standout 2024 rookie Tykee Smith if he is moved to safety. Drafting Malaki Starks can solve either issue, as he has familiarity with both safety and nickel responsibilities and can create a daunting trio with Smith and Antoine Winfield, Jr. to allow head coach Todd Bowles supreme versatility in how he deploys different coverage looks.
Analysis: Starks is our top safety in the draft and the Bucs have managed to land him with the 19th pick in the draft.
One of the more versatile defensive players in the class, Starks can play multiple spots for Todd Bowles’ defense. As mentioned by Kiwak above, Starks has experience playing all over the secondary as an instinctive and rangy playmaker. He’s excellent in playing the ball at third level and just as reliable coming up and make a stop on the ground. While he doesn’t provide a massive pop behind his pads, he’s a sticky tackler who knows how to get ball-carriers down and minimize yards after contact.
The Bucs need to build their defense up to be a machine that can get the ball back to Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin as fast as possible. Adding Starks helps make that happen.
Top five remaining players:
- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Plenty of good players still left on the board!
The Bears are up next after a strong offseason where they overhauled the offensive line in an attempt to make life much easier on quarterback Caleb Williams. Will new head coach Ben Johnson continue adding to his quarterback’s protection detail? Will he continue adding to Williams’ group of pass catchers? Or will he switch his attention to the other side of the ball?
