The Chicago Bears have been connected to multiple big names ahead of the 2025 draft. Most of them are at established positions of “need,” like running back, left tackle, defensive end, and defensive tackle. Tight end is also in play. Guard and center were addressed in free agency. Linebacker and cornerback aren’t pressing concerns. However, there is one area that hasn’t been discussed much: safety. On the surface, the Bears have two established starters, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. However, that doesn’t mean they bring stability.
Byard turns 32 this year. His peak is all but gone. Brisker just missed most of last season with a concussion, which was already a recurring issue. Both of them are under contract for only one more season. Unless that somehow changes in the next two weeks, the Bears risk going into the summer with no long-term option at safety. One has to think they plan to add somebody in the draft. A recent comment from a scout to Bob McGinn of Go Long TD may have helped pinpoint who it will be.
Malaki Starks of Georgia.
“Reminds me a lot of Marcus Williams, who came out of Utah and played for the Saints and the Ravens,” said a third scout. “It’s hard to find these guys. I don’t really have any negatives. He could be a little more consistent with his tackling technique from a breakdown standpoint but he didn’t miss many. It’s splitting hairs on him. Outstanding young man. Starter since Day 1. Went to (SEC) Media Day for them. A+ across the board. And someone may get crazy and decide they want to try him at corner for a little bit. He’s got the corner movement. I’d rather keep him where he is. This is a rich man’s version of Damarious Randall.”
Keep in mind Williams was drafted by New Orleans in 2017 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the same man now running the Bears defense. If Starks is indeed the spitting image of Williams, it isn’t a stretch to think Allen will push for him.
The Chicago Bears have a decision to make if they want Starks.
Taking him at #10 overall is unlikely. Safeties don’t go that high anymore. However, the problem is many draft experts believe he has a good chance to go near the end of the 1st round. That means the Chicago Bears have two options. They could look to trade down from the 10th pick and take Starks toward the middle of the 1st round. That would make it easier to justify. Either that, or they take the gamble that the safety slips out of the 1st round and into the top of the 2nd, where they hold the 39th and 41st picks. Both options are risky for different reasons. Trading down means missing out on potential players at more premium positions. Waiting until the 2nd round risks him going before the Bears get on the board again.
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Inching towards the draft, and Arlington.
One thing for sure, Children of the Corn will want Malaki. I don’t. I’d take Emmanwori. I prefer that name. A strong and free African name!
At safety, with day 1 or day 2 grades, I’m aware of (probably in this order for me): Emmanwori, Starks, Watts, Mukuba, and Kevin Winston from Penn State. He’s good, but was hurt last year, and I’m not sure we want to draft another safety from Penn State with injury issues. Some might toss in Sebastian Castro from Iowa, but those are my top 4. Personally, I like Mukuba in the third round. He’s pretty fast, although not as fast as Emmanwori, and had great production at Texas. Starks is good against the run, but might not be the best… Read more »
These articles are getting to the point where it’s sorta like watching paint dry.!!
Every article on here about the draft is the same. “Chicago has a lot of needs and finite resources, Poles has important decisions to make.”