Ryan Mink

The Ravens have signed first-round pick Malaki Starks to his rookie contract.

The 27th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Starks is signed to a four-year deal with the fifth-year team option. He inked the deal Thursday during the first week of Ravens organized team activities.

Starks is projected to have an immediate large role in the Ravens secondary, perhaps starting next to All-Pro Kyle Hamilton as a ball-hawking free safety.

After ArDarius Washington suffered a torn Achillesearlier this month, Starks will see even more snaps in a safety unit that also includes Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade.

"I think [Starks] is doing a good job. I don't think he's really flashed yet, because he's just trying to be in the right spot right now and make the right call," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday.

"The safeties have a lot of communication, but I haven't seen him make a mistake yet with the communication. He looks really good as an athlete, and with Ar'Darius' situation, it's a lot on his plate right now, so he's going to have to step up. But it's why we drafted him in the first round."

Starks was an immediate starter as a freshman at Georgia and had a spectacular interception against Oregon in his first college game. A three-year starter, Starks has the experience and versatility to play all over the Ravens secondary.

Harbaugh said during rookie minicamp that he's been impressed with Starks' maturity. The first-round pick broke the huddle at the end of practice and has shown immediate leadership qualities. Now he's learning from the vets at OTAs.

"I just want to be a sponge," Starks said. "They know so much football, and watching tape, you see it. They just move so fluidly. Like I had talked about earlier, they're on a different level of [having] knowledge of football, and I want to get there."