Although there is still one more NFL game left in the 2024 season, the offseason has begun for 30 other teams. That means eyes turn towards free agency and the draft. And the draft means we get mock drafts, even if the Senior Bowl hasn’t been played yet.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, one of the premier draft analysts in the game, released his first mock draft of the season. He has the Minnesota Vikings selecting Georgia safety Malaki Sparks at pick 24. Jeremiah wrote the following about the selection:
Starks didn’t make as many plays as we’re accustomed to seeing from him in 2024, but people at Georgia rave about his intangibles, leadership and work ethic. He has the versatility to play over the top or cover the slot.
Starks is an intriguing prospect. He intercepted six passes and 44 stops at Georgia and possesses good size, standing 6’1″, 205 pounds, according to NFL.com.
Cam Bynum and Harrison Smith are set to be free agents, so safety is a need. But would the Vikings feel compelled to spend a high pick on a safety, especially after the disastrous Lewis Cine pick in the 2022 draft?
Perhaps trading down and accumulating additional draft capital would help the Vikings find more value in Starks. But unless Minnesota addresses safety in free agency, Starks is a name to monitor as the draft process plays out.