While the Colts Week 7 victory over Miami did not reveal another true need that has not been mentioned in this series so far, it continues our theme of looking ahead to looming thoughts. The Colts continue to show their typical needs in positions we have already discussed. The safety position does have some future notable contract implications coming up.
The current starters are Nick Cross and Julian Blackmon, and both are having impactful seasons as we near the mid-point of the season. Blackmon is set for free agency this offseason, and Cross is set for 2026. For the reserves, Trevor Denbow is set for free agency this offseason, and Rodney Thomas II is set for 2026. The Colts did draft Jaylin Simpson this season, but he has yet to make any progress off the practice squad this season.
The Colts continue to be thin in overall secondary depth, and while this aspect of the roster is continuing to improve, you must keep the cupboard stacked. The NFL is moving to a passing league first, as we have seen with the explosion of wide receiver contracts. While the safety market has not caught up to the money trend, the importance of it continues to survive in this league.
Current Tankathon Draft Position: #20
The Indianapolis Colts Select
Malaki Starks S/Georgia
The measurables for Starks come in 6’1 and 205 pounds, which is ideal for an NFL safety. The most impressive characteristic for Starks is his experience of playing at a high level. He has been the starter for most of his Georgia career, as he saw starting time as a freshman and has never given that up. He was a consensus All-American his sophomore season, and is having another solid season so far this year. He won the 2022 CFB Playoff National Championship as the starting free safety. During that season, he was second in total team tackles (47) and defensive snaps played (732).
Starks also has blazing speed with a 4.35 recorded 40-yard dash time and is a freak athlete. In high school, he won a state championship in long jump and ran the 100-meter dash. While it’s too early to tell who will be leading the Colts defensive unit next season, Starks is a plug and play type of player. He has the experience and football IQ to start from day one. While that may not be necessary, it is something that teams value.
It should be noted as well, Starks seems to be a true leader of this Georgia football team on and off the field. This Georgia football team has seemed to have some alleged character issues, and Starks has never seen a negative headline throughout all of it. We know how much Colts GM Chris Ballard values this trait in all player evaluations. Starks is a complete package player that checks nearly every box this team is looking for in defensive leader.