Safety Malaki Starks has ‘great meeting’ with Dolphins at Combine and more Dolphins notes
It’s no secret that the Dolphins need help at safety.
With Jevon Holland set to test free agency and Jordan Poyer not expected back, the Dolphins have two very glaring holes on the back end.
A safety out of Georgia could be the answer.
“I think it’s just my athletic ability but also just my knowledge,” Starks said of what makes him a unique prospect on Thursday. The 21-year-old added that he had a “great meeting” with the Dolphins. “Just really falling in love with the process of learning how to cover, learning how to be a safety, be a slot, be a corner, be a money linebacker. Just learning my assignment and the best way to do it. I watch a lot of tape so just being able to see guys, how they move, like what’s the tendencies.”
Starks remains one of the best safety prospects in the entire draft. Both Bleacher Report and The Athletic have him ranked as the No. 1 safety while ESPN and NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah have him at No. 2 behind University of South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori. Still, each outlet raved about his athleticism, zone coverage skills and versatility.
“He covers ground quickly in two-high looks, is competitive matching up with slot receivers in off coverage and matches up well with tight ends,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote. “Starks is a playmaker who tracks the ball well and elevates well. He is an active run defender who fills gaps and sifts through traffic.”
The downside? Starks didn’t make as many plays in 2024 in comparison to 2023 and, unfortunately, gave up some big gains himself, per multiple reports.
“He was caught flat-footed a few times in the games I studied,” Jeremiah wrote, later adding “Starks didn’t make as many plays this past season as he did in 2023, but he has the versatility to move around the field and provide a lot of value.”
Still, Starks’ interception against Clemson in Georgia’s season opener shows the potential that can certainly make scouts fall in love.
What’s it like to have a Dolphins legend as a father?
To be the son of a NFL legend.
Louisiana State University tight end Mason Taylor spoke to the media Thursday morning and shared just how instrumental his father, Dolphins great and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, was in his preparation for the NFL Combine.
“Just kind of having that insight, that inside scoop, that many people aren’t fortunate to have,” Taylor said. “It’s a blessing.”
Added Taylor: “My dad and my uncle [Hall of Famer Zach Thomas], they both weren’t the highest recruited coming out of high school. Just shows that there’s no shortcuts to the game. It’s all straight work ethic and dedication. Seeing their work ethic — my dad was a little undersized coming into the NFL. Just how he worked and separated himself, that’s what it takes to be at this next level.”
The 2025 NFL Draft has no shortage of elite tight ends. With top-end prospects including Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland, University of Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II, there’s no way to predict where Taylor ends up.
Arroyo talks knee injury, NFL inspirations
One of the top tight end prospects in the draft, Arroyo shocked the NFL world with his decision to not work out at the Combine due to a knee injury sustained at the Senior Bowl. He downplayed the injury Thursday, calling it a “bruise.”
Arroyo’s injury history makes him one of the draft’s biggest question marks as he played only six games between his sophomore and junior seasons. At the Senior Bowl, however, he looked dominant as a route-runner and pass-catcher. It wasn’t necessarily surprising that he compared himself to a wideout.
“I’m really just a big receiver,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo remains a Hurricane through and through. When asked about the tight ends he likes to compare himself to, his list included UM greats such as Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham and Jeremy Shockey.
“I like to borrow a lot of different things from different people but my main guys are the Miami guys,” Arroyo said before listing the aforementioned names as well as David Njoku and Kellen Winslow II. “There’s a lot of Miami greats that I was able to take after.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
