Cris Collinsworth: Malaki Starks To The Bucs
April 17th, 2025
Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
Joe’s willing to at least listen to Cris Collinsworth talk about potential Bucs’ draft picks because Collinsworth has sat in broadcast production meetings with Todd Bowles and other Tampa Bay power players.
Collinsworth cranked out his own mock draft this week and chose University of Georgia safety Malaki Starks for the Bucs at No. 19 overall.
The NBC analyst and former All-Pro receiver spent time rambling about how Starks is not a top-10 pick like others think because he’s not that centerfielder, free safety stud capable of keeping a team out of the end zone. But Collinsworth did rant about how Starks is proven in man coverage against great players in the slot and works extremely well along the line of scrimmage.
He sees a fit in Bowles’ defense and likes the versatility Starks brings, especially combined with stud veteran safety Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Collinsworth did his mock in conjunction with the PFF Tribe data gurus.
Joe would welcome Starks with open arms, a move that would keep second-year man Tykee Smith, last year’s third-round pick and top Bucs defensive playmaker (2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles) as a slot cornerback.
April 17th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
If he’s there….if not, Emmanwori.
April 17th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Yet another defensive back? I’d much prefer a premium pass rusher.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
I’m not the biggest of college football fans. I like defense, so I’ll stop there.
However, I do have a legit question for those who watch college football in near diehard unison with the Bucs:
Should Bucs fans hope or fear the Saints if they exercise the option to draft Shedeur Sanders?
Will they br drafting a truly talented quarterback, or one who rides his father’s coattails?
April 17th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Solid pick…..no gamble…..
April 17th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
MadMax
My mantra never changes, Broski: relentless pressure wins. If Donovan Ezeiruaku’s off the board, I’m sprinting the card in for Walter Nolen, then circling back for Jared Ivy in Round 2. Day 3, scoop up nose tackle Cam Horsley. That gives us a nasty‑deep, youth‑charged front four that keeps quarterbacks under siege all game.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Hey Joe,
Gimme a Grant. No, I don’t want a $50 bill – I want DT -Kenneth Grant
This guy is a rawer, but faster Vita Vea Jr and may be available even after a trade down. Just check out his speed and imagine Vea, Kancey, Reddick and Diaby all playing with Kenneth Grant. I’d like to see K. Grant DT as the number 1 pick
[Please remember: No links. And yes, Joe has used that video several times. — Joe]
K Grant is #3 on Sean Sullivan’s DT list after Mason Graham (expected to go to Jags in top 10) and Walter Nolen (higher ceiling but also many reports of maturity and character concerns …e.g. often walks off the field whenever he gets pissed which apparently is quite frequently)
see Nolen and Harmon
[Please remember: No links. — Joe]
April 17th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
MadMax
(LOLB) Yaya Diaby | Chris Braswell
(3T) Calijah Kancey | Walter Nolen
(0T) Vita Vea | Greg Gaines | Cam Horsley
(5T) Logan Hall | Jared Ivy
(ROLB) Hasson Reddick | Anthony Nelson
Practice Squad: Adam Gotis | C.J. Brewer | Mike Greene
Diaby’s burst opposite Reddick’s proven speed‑to‑power means quarterbacks have to climb straight into Vea/Kancey.
Nolen/Ivy/Horsley rotate in to keep Kancey and Vea fresh while cranking up second‑half collapse pockets.
Hall’s 5‑tech length and Nolen’s inside/outside flexibility let Bowles toggle between 3‑4, 5‑man “Bear,” and attacking 4‑down fronts without personnel changes.
Good luck blocking that for four full quarters Bredren.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Id prefer Emmanwori, longer, bigger, faster and not amplified by a ton of GA talent around him. But then again, Campbell’s injury is a risk I’d take over all other options if he is stting there at 19 or later
April 17th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
I’ll bite…Sanders is talented, great genes for sure. Whoever drafts him will get a great player but also a great headache with Dad Deion all up in it….it comes with the territory. Cant block him out no matter how much you want to try. But could be a good thing, who knows.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
JA, I have watched Sanders play more than a couple of games and a few things stand out to me. He’s gonna have to develop a better pocket presence and ability to move around in that pocket. He’ll probably take a bunch of sacks until he gets up to NFL game speed. If he gets up to NFL speed. He is accurate-74 percent completion percentage- but he’s not a runner like you’d expect. He’s nowhere near as good as Daniels or Williams from last year’s class. But he does have confidence and given the right opportunity and time he could make a decent NFL QB. I’d be glad if New Orleans took him.
April 17th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
Thats a lot to digest LUV, im about to knock out (3rd shift schedule) I’ll try though
April 17th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
All good, Max—catch those Z’s.
April 17th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
I like Ivey…Horsley too, looks like he could put on some weight and strength as he grows and could be a force in the middle….nice finds.
April 17th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Bucs need a WR more than any other position. Let’s assume Godwin misses the first 8 games and finds his stride by week 12 or so. Evans will pull a hammy. That’s six games in 2025. McMillan is undersized and prone to injury. Another dominant WR could save the season. The defense will be bad. That’s a fact. The offense will carry the team once again, but not without healthy WR’s
April 17th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
^ thats why im pushing for Higgins with our 2nd….
April 17th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Jeff = Joebucsfan comment click bait.
Not biting.
April 17th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Bucs are not drafting a safety in the 1st round when Tykee is getting moved to safety smh
April 17th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Lotta folks know CTB loves D backs out of Georgia.
April 17th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
a few scouts like xavier watts more than either of top two
April 17th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
I think injury to receivers have bitten us for several years in a row actually. It was Gage, then Godwin, then Mike, then Gage again, then Godwin again with Mike etc.
Even McMillan missed time.
It would not surprise me at all if they have both Golden and McMillan ahead of several defensive guys we like.
Several good WR prospects in rounds 2-4 though so you gotta still play your hand at What-If we stay healthy and give me Emmanwori who WILL PRODUCE this year.
Or Ezeiraku who is a raw talent.
April 17th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
I’d be all-in on Starks!
April 17th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
No to any safety at #19.
Maybe if we trade down and get an extra pick I could see it…..
Premium picks are best used for premium positions – like Edge, CB or DT.
Safety and ILB are not premium positions and generally should not be drafted in round 1.
April 17th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
JA
Sanders is a 2nd RDQB in most drafts. Has a name and dad who is a hype machine. If developed correctly, good be a very good QB in 2-3 years though. Cam Ward is probably a low 1st RD pick in most drafts too. Needs to learn to not hold the ball so long. Both will take a ton of sacks in year 1
April 17th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
Would not mind that pick a at all. I’m hoping Jihaad is there. He can do everything and LVD is in his last year
April 17th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Collinsworth has been drinking more heavily than most of us .
April 17th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
^thats where its at…Knight though since Jihaad is still recovering
April 17th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Thanks guys!
April 17th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
I believe trenches is where games are won.. I prefer to find the next monster on the dline..
Also mlb…
Be nice to sure up the secondary and grab a great route running te
April 17th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
Considering how absolutely Collinsworth has sounded every time he’s done a Bucs broadcast, his input is meaningless to me.
I doubt he knows much if anything about the defensive scheme that Bowles runs.
April 17th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
*absolutely clueless
April 17th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Luvmybucs. I like the way you think. I’d be willing to invest in the fl edge 3-4 ,4-3 , 5 tech and 1and 3 tech players and draft a combo of 3 of them .
April 17th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
I agree pickering, don’t l Iike spending high draft picks on safety and Inside lb
April 17th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
I think it has to be Pass rusher/CB no other way around it.
Well no other way around it unless a trade is made. I see no reason to unless trading down. Only team I’d trade with is the Chicago Bears for their (2) seconds.
(3) second rounders for TB Bucs. That makes me happy and also more interested in the draft and new prospects.
April 17th, 2025 at 11:12 pm
Yea Joe I agree. Keep smith in the slot. Izen backs him up and can be depth for safety as well. Or maybe izen starts next to AW31 doubt it tho. Bruce hall back up dean for when he does get hurt and we all know he will so we got a little bit of depth back there but man still could use some starters and a few more depth pieces in the DB section. Also need some more depth at ILB
April 18th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Pickgrin. Always love your takes…
Have to disagree with you though. ILB and Safety are your field generals. All you have to do is look at our present team. LVD and AW are our most valuable defensive players and future HOFers. They are also getting a little long in the tooth for an NFL player at their respective positions.
I’m not saying you have to pick one of those two positions for #19, but if you get a shot at a future great S or ILB, you don’t not take it just because “we don’t draft S’s and ILB’s in the first.
As always just my opinion…