2025 NFL Draft Bible: Safeties

The safety class features plenty of diversity amongst the top-tier prospects in this year’s NFL Draft.

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OFFICIAL 2025 NFL DRAFT BIBLE — SAFETIES

SAFETY OVERVIEW & BIG BOARD RANKINGS ——» CLICK HERE

TIER 1 PROSPECTS -- FRANCHISE TALENT

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TIER 2 PROSPECTS -- PRO BOWL TALENT

1. STARKS, MALAKI | Georgia | S | #24 | Jr | Jefferson, GA | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6007 | 197 | 0948 | 3158 | 7838 | 4.50 (1.51), 23.12 | n/a | 33” | n/a | 4.45 | 7.26

One-Liner: A natural free safety who was asked to play multiple spots this past season, causing a dip in production but there are flashes of brilliance that could make him a high impact performer in the pros.

Evaluation: Viewed as a premier prospect who checks off all the boxes in terms of size, athleticism, speed, instincts, smarts, pedigree and production, Starks was playing a bit out of position in 2024. As a result, he was a bit more susceptible to the big play and saw his numbers dip across the board. This was due to the fact that he played nearly 40% of his snaps in the slot. While it wasn't always pretty, it did open up scouts to his ability to match up against wideouts in press-man coverage. Starks is at his best as a center fielder type safety who can utilize his range and step up in the box when needed. He possesses natural instincts, is quick to close and plays physically. Starks is a solid tackler for the most part but his aggressiveness can make him over-pursue at times, as there are more missed tackles than you would like to see. In addition, he can be overpowered by bigger, imposing linemen against second level blocking in the run game. Despite the flaws, If he can prove to smooth out the inconsistent bumps, Starks owns Pro Bowl playmaking potential.

Quotable: “It’s the same thing he does on the field. He’s holding people accountable. I think that’s one of his greatest traits. Yes, he’s a good football player. Yes, he’s a great ball hawk, all that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day, Malaki holds people accountable, and he holds himself accountable. That’s why he’s a good player.” Georgia Co-Defensive Coordinator Travaris Robinson on Malaki Starks

Background: He suffered a torn labrum and had to undergo shoulder surgery during the 2024 offseason. Suffered a broken leg as a freshman in high school. Struggled growing up, as family dealt with bouts of homelessness when he was younger during the third through sixth grades. Known to have prestige, character and high confidence. A two-time All American and All-SEC selection. Was a five-star recruit who also starred in basketball and track (state champion long jumper). Majored in sports management. recipient of the Herbert and Burdelle Mobley Family Scholarship and the Susan & Mark Tomlinson Family Football Scholarship. Declared early and was invited to the NFL Combine invite.

TIER 3 PROSPECTS -- SOLID STARTER

2. BOWMAN JR., BILLY | Oklahoma | S | # 2 | Sr | Denton, TX | Solid Starter | Round 1

Combine: 5097 | 192 | 0858 | 2848 | 7068 | 4.42 (1.52), 23.13 | 17 | 35.5” | 10-03 | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: An in-the-box safety, shot out of a cannon, quick to close, with great awareness and instincts, along with the ability to bait the quarterback.

Evaluation: Come across the middle and watch the weasel go pop–Bowman is a field general that opposing quarterbacks must account for on every play. An incredible athlete, Bowman constantly shows up around the football and is highly active. He flies to the ball-carrier and is quick to close in on space. The strong safety has excelled under head coach Brent Venables, showcasing propensity for creating turnovers and becoming an offensive player with the ball in his hands. His quick instincts and closing speed, enable him to jump the route and make the opponent pay. Bowman finished with 11 career interceptions and had three pick-six returns for touchdowns during the 2023 season. While Bowman will lay the lumber when presented the opportunity, he needs to clean up some of his tackling woes and become more dependable in the open-field. His biggest knock is the lack of size, so the team that drafts him will have to live with some of his vulnerability in the strength department at times. However, his positives far outweigh the negatives, as Bowman is arguably the top safety in this year’s draft and reminds us of Eddie Jackson (Alabama/Bears). He is a cornerstone type player.

Quotable: "I want to suffocate offenses. Offense is easy to play. You know your play. You know where the ball is going. All you got to do is get the ball and make somebody miss. On defense, it brings so much more of a challenge. So it's so much more fun. But my goal is just to suffocate offenses. I don't want to give them nothing. I want to hold them to zero-to-three. When the ball is in the air, it's mine." – Billy Bowman on his style of play.

Background: One of the Sooners team leaders, very intentional and has a deliberate work ethic, according to coaches; the first one in the building, last one out-type. Starter in 41-of-47 career games for Sooners. Received a second round grade by the NFL Advisory Board following his 2023 campaign but opted to return in order to boost his draft stock. A consensus four-star recruit from Ryan High School. Multidisciplinary Studies major. NFL Combine and Senior Bowl invite.