Deeper Than a Draft Pick: Malaki Starks Is Already Becoming a Raven

Owings Mills, MD – May 30, 2025

Not every rookie walks into an NFL building and earns the attention of an All-Pro. But Malaki Starks isn’t just any rookie — and Kyle Hamilton isn’t easily impressed.

From the opening days of OTA practices in Baltimore, Starks has proven he’s not only worthy of his first-round status, but that he carries the presence of someone born to wear the Ravens’ iconic purple and black. His footwork, instincts, and ability to diagnose plays have all drawn nods from veterans. Even Hamilton — the heartbeat of Baltimore’s defense — was moved to say: “He sees the game like a vet… I trusted him back there immediately.”

But Hamilton didn’t stop at praise. Quietly, after practice, he handed Starks a custom pair of black-and-purple cleats engraved with the words “Ravens Bloodline.” It wasn’t just a gift — it was a rite of passage. “He’s one of us now,” Hamilton said. “This team values tradition. And I see Malaki carrying that forward.”

Starks made it hard to argue otherwise. In a red-zone drill, he broke on a ball headed for Zay Flowers and swatted it down, then later made a leaping interception that sent the sideline into a frenzy. The cheers weren’t of surprise — they were of confirmation: Baltimore’s newest safety is the real deal.

Still, Starks remains grounded. “It’s just practice,” he said afterward, then paused with a smile. “But when someone like Kyle Hamilton puts that kind of trust in you… you want to give everything you’ve got.”

Something is brewing in Baltimore’s secondary. With Hamilton, Starks, and Marcus Williams all healthy and hungry, defensive coordinator Zach Orr may be poised to resurrect the feared three-safety looks that once terrorized opposing quarterbacks. Only now, they have more speed, more versatility — and a new energy coursing through it.

If these early signs hold true, Malaki Starks won’t just be a promising addition to the roster. He’ll be a cornerstone of the next great Ravens defense.