Pro Football Focus released their latest mock draft Monday morning, with the NFL Draft set to kick off in less than four weeks. In the mock draft, PFF had Georgia safety Malaki Starks projected to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 21st overall. While Starks hasn’t been a common name linked to the Steelers, and safety hasn’t been referenced as one of their top positions of need, selecting Starks would undoubtedly give Pittsburgh’s defense a real boost.
Malaki Starks Projected to Steelers in Latest PFF Mock Draft
What Malaki Starks Would Bring to the Steelers
While defensive tackle, running back, and wide receiver have been considered some of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs, they really need to add another piece to their safety room. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott form a formidable starting duo, but there is not much depth in the group right now. Malaki Starks would immediately be the Steelers’ number three safety, but his role on the team would go beyond being a strong depth piece.
What makes Starks such a high-upside prospect is his versatility. He can play in the slot, he can line up as an extra safety in the box, or he can roam deep as a free safety. In recent seasons, Pittsburgh has largely stuck Minkah Fitzpatrick way behind the line of scrimmage as a deep free safety. But Fitzpatrick does some really good things on the field when he is allowed to move around. Starks could play deep and allow Fitzpatrick to excel in various alignments. In other packages, Fitzpatrick can stay deep, and Starks could play in the box or the slot.
As a rookie, Malaki Starks’ biggest role on the Steelers’ defense would likely be as the slot cornerback. In PFF’s analysis of the pick, they referenced Pittsburgh’s poor coverage in the slot last season. On an otherwise very solid defense, the Steelers’ biggest weakness is at the slot cornerback position. Starks would provide instant improvement in that regard, but he could also move around the defense and contribute in any way the Pittsburgh coaching staff would ask him to.
Who Else Was on the Board
In PFF’s mock draft, the Steelers would really be able to take a “best player available” approach. When the 21st pick rolls around, some of Pittsburgh’s top potential targets like defensive linemen Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon, and wide receivers Luther Burden III and Matthew Golden, are still on the board. Between those four players, Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and Malaki Starks, it would be hard for the Steelers to make a bad pick in this scenario.
If this situation were to arise, it would be interesting to see how strongly Pittsburgh adopts the best player available mindset. While safety and slot cornerback are certainly needs for the Steelers, defensive line and wide receiver are bigger needs at more valuable positions. If they value need over talent, it would be hard to envision the Steelers drafting Starks over the likes of Grant or Golden. But if Pittsburgh simply wants to load up their roster with as much talent as possible, Starks will absolutely be on their radar, as he has all the makings of a prospect who will enjoy a smooth transition to the NFL.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports
The post Versatile Playmaker Projected to Steelers in New Mock Draft appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.